Yachting Australia

Sarah Blanck

Go for Gold is the first major regatta of what will be a huge two months of sailing in Melbourne and will be held from 30 November to 2 December at Black Rock Yacht Club.

A large fleet of all classes completing in Melbourne over the summer will be represented at this event which includes the Olympic class Finn Australian Championship.  Ben Ainslie, the British double Olympic gold medalist in two classes and arguably the world’s best Olympic sailor, will compete as he prepares for the Finn Gold Cup (world championship) to be held at Black Rock Yacht Club in January.

Ainslie will compete against his fellow British rival for 2008 Olympic selection Ed Wright and 2008 Australian Olympic member Anthony Nossiter amongst others in a high quality field.

In addition to the heavyweight men in the Finn, the world’s best single handed women will be competing in the Laser Radial.  Local sailor Sarah Blanck, recently selected to the Australian Olympic team for Beijing, is preparing for her second Olympic Games after placing 4th in the Europe class in Athens.

In the double handed boats, men and women Olympic 470 sailors will be using Go for Gold as part of their preparation for the 470 World Championships at Mordialloc Sailing Club in January.

Victoria’s top Youth 29er sailors will be preparing for their world championship to be held at Sorrento.  The 29er Australian and World Championships will be used to select Australia’s representative to the Youth World Championships to be held in Denmark in July 2008.

Go for Gold is a unique regatta.  Now in its 18th year, it is Australia’s only true coaching regatta, where coaches can be right in the middle of the race course closely watching and assisting all sailors to improve their sailing and racing skills.

While attracting the stars of the sailing world and providing high level coaching and support, Go for Gold is designed for all sailors as a grass roots participation event.

Race Director Ross Wilson OAM invites all sailors to come along and experience the regatta.  “The main purpose of the event is to provide experience coaching for aspiring sailors under the guiding  eyes of  National and State coaches. The event is recognised internationally with participants coming from all parts of the globe,” he says.

A wide range of coaches will be on hand at the regatta.  Yachting Australia High Performance program coaches and Yachting Victoria coaches will be on hand for on water and off water coaching.

In addition to the three-day Go for Gold regatta, Yachting Victoria conducts a pre Go for Gold Coaching Clinic at Black Rock Yacht Club from 26-28 November.

Other Links
	Black Rock Yacht Club: Information & Entry
	Victorian Sailing Team: Go for Gold Coaching Clinic