REID MARTIN From age four, Reid’s natural ease in an Opti was evident to his parents and coaches and, soon after turning 11, he achieved his long-held dream of making the Australian development team. Reid has some impressive milestones, from excelling in the Green Fleet and securing three consecutive State Intermediate wins to earning some national podium finishes. Successfully transitioning to the Open Fleet, despite often being the youngest and smallest competitor, his slight build and quiet demeanour can be misleading: he sails with all the grit and determination of a seasoned champion, driven by strong willpower and clear logic, and confident in his ability to compete on the world stage. Reid remains a grounded ‘normal kid’ from a rural town, who hopes to inspire other ‘small town kids’ to greater things. KRIS BILSTON & ADDISON LESTER READ MORE ►p.58 HENRY PIGGOTT Seasoned RQYS Youth Squad member, State Opti and ILCA4 Champion and a Club Champion graduate of the Squadron’s Opti Tackers program, Henry qualified to represent AUS at the 2024 ILCA 4 Worlds, competing on the big swells of the Atlantic coast of Portugal at Viana do Castelo, along with our own Caterina Meyer and Molly Schotte. Scoring fourth in the first qualifying race, then consistent results in the top 20 for the remaining four races saw Henry make the Gold fleet. As one of the smaller, younger competitors at 15 years old, he struggled in the stronger Atlantic breezes, but finished 53rd overall, excited with placing 14th overall in the U16 Boys category. Sailing against these international champions, key learnings included becoming more aggressive and assertive at mark-roundings in the ILCAs. LUKE ROGERS & LUCAS PATRICK Team “LSquared” (aka Luke and Lucas) travelled to Aarhus in Denmark to compete at the 2024 29er Worlds. “We arrived a week before to allow time to set up the charter boat and train with the Australian squad (comprising seven crews from Queensland, NSW, and WA). During the lead-up to the regatta we were fortunate enough to do some practice racing with teams from other countries, including Germany, Italy, and Denmark. “In the days leading up to the regatta, our competitors arrived in Aarhus from all around the world, mainly from mainland Europe. With 260 boats competing, this was one of the largest word championships ever held. After a smooth measurement process, the regatta officially began. First was a three-day qualifying series with light and choppy conditions that were surprisingly warm and sunny ...” READ MORE ► p.58 JOE FOLEY A born-and-bred RQYS Junior rising rapidly through the sailing ranks over the last few years, Joe has been ‘bitten by the Foiling bug’ and is campaigning for the 2028 LA Olympics. He has been rapidly progressing his craft, with a third place at Sail Melbourne followed by a trip to Europe to test his skills against the world’s best at the Hyeres regatta, where he gained a credible 28th place. He has since focused his attention on the State titles in Yeppoon, coming away with a well-deserved victory. Definitely one to watch! FRANCES BEEBE Frances began her months of training and competing in Europe with three weeks preparing for the 2024 Portugal Grand Prix, her first Open international event. “The first two weeks included intense training on and off the water, including the most difficult sessions I have ever done. A surfeit of crepes and all-you-can-eat sushi helped! The Grand Prix had a smaller fleet than usual, as the Senior ILCA European Championships were on at the same time. “But there was strong competition from GBR, NOR, CAN, FIN and SWE, many having had solid Tokyo placings and here re-asserting their dominance. This was a four-day regatta with three days of 15kn+ winds and one with light and variable 3-10kn and, at three races a day, it was a test of skill and endurance. “This was a great debut, where I was able to try myself against some of the best in the world. I was stoked to manage some races against the top of the fleet, including my highlight 5th in the second-last race.” REID MARTIN JOE FOLEY FRANCES BEEBE HENRY PIGGOTT KRIS BILSTON & ADDISON LESTER LUKE ROGERS & LUCAS PATRICK
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