Mark Spearman and Madison Kennedy are prepared to set sail at the upcoming Youth Olympics after being selected as Australia’s sailing representatives for Singapore 2010.

At just 15 years of age, Kennedy of Maroochydoore is in Yachting Queensland’s elite sailing squad in the Laser 4.7 boat class.

Her selection to the Australian Youth Olympic Team comes off the back of her gold medal at the 2010 Australian Youth Championships in South Australia.

“She’s a very strong sailor who performs consistently well at regattas,” coach Ben Callard said.

“We’re heading to Singapore this weekend for a test event which will be a great opportunity for Madison to see how she is tracking against the other competitors and also get to know the course.”

Teammate Spearman also tasted life at the top of the podium at the 2010 Youth Championships, taking out the boys’ Laser 4.7.

Also aged 15, Spearman hails from Western Australia where he trains under Arthur Brett at the Fremantle Sailing Club.

At the 2010 Laser 4.7 Youth World Championship, held in Thailand in April, Spearman proved he has the making of a world class athlete, winning silver in the under 16 race behind New Zealand’s Ryan Amlehn.

Both athletes will be contesting the Byte CII boat category which is a one person dinghy. The boat class is similar to the Laser 4.7 the athletes normally compete in but with less stability on the water.

“Mark and Madison both have a Byte now and will be spending as much time in the boats from now until August,” coach Callard said.

“They’ll be up against tough competition from the Singaporeans who race this class a lot, however they’ll be in a number of events and training camps in July and will be in a good position to do well at the Games in August.”

Spearman and Kennedy will also have plenty of support from the Singapore shores, with Youth Olympics young ambassador and dual Olympic gold medallist Elise Rechichi cheering on her young compatriots.  

“It is great to see so many young sailors coming through. It is definitely looking good for the future of Australian sailing,” Rechichi said.

“It is inspiring to see the enthusiasm of the youngsters to want to compete and fulfil their potential.” 

There will be two boat classes contested at the Youth Olympic Games - Byte CII boat (one person dinghy) and Techno 293 (windsurfing). Two athletes is the maximum number of athletes allowed per nation and Australia have chosen to focus on the Byte class.

Competition will be held at the National Sailing Centre on the South-Eastern tip of Singapore and will run from 17 – 25 August 2010.

Alice Wheeler and Matthew Bartolo
AOC