Competitors from five of Oceania’s sailing NSOs represented this summer

This summer of sailing saw international entrants come to Australia to compete in Olympic class sailing events, many of which also served as qualification events for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Many international competitors also came to compete in Olympic feeder events, where future generations of medallists are certain to be found.

From Oceania it was largely the New Zealanders who popped over the ditch in large numbers to compete against their Australian counterparts, however it was also exciting to have some other Oceania sailors competing. Entrants came from Fiji, New Caledonia and the American Samoa Sailing Association to compete in a number of the Olympic class and feeder regattas.

Tyler Paige and Adrian Hoesch from American Samoa competed in Sail Melbourne in the 470 – an Olympic class – against the only other entrant, which was sailed by Sophie Jackson and Josh Galland from Australia. The battle was intense though with each crew taking turns in winning alternate races.

The Laser 4.7s, being an Olympic feeder class, had two Fijian representatives at Sail Melbourne; Sophia Morgan and Nelle Leenders. Sophia placed fourth, with Nelle placing 10th. Sophia competed in three of the Australian summer regattas, the 2020 Australian Laser Championships, the Youth Championships and Sail Melbourne. She placed well with the big fleets and in what was tricky weather with the Australian bushfires affecting many of the race areas.

New Caledonia was represented in the 29ers, also an Olympic feeder class, at the Youth Championships, by entering six boats in the 48-strong fleet. The results from this even were as follows:

14th Emille Bouchet/Robin Chantrelle

17th Tron Fleur/Hautier Thomas

24th Corentin Goulon/Valentin Alakiletoa-Pinault

28th Lila Patarin/Victor Goyard

35th Camille Goulie/Francois Gboyah

42nd Verge Lola/Ori Valentin

The Oceania Sailing Federation is proud of the efforts of the Pacific Island nations and their sailors who travelled and took on some of the worlds future Olympians.