OLYMPIC coach Belinda Stowell will return to Hillarys Yacht Club’s Easter regatta this year to train dinghy sailors.
The former women’s 470 gold medallist and WA Institute of Sport head sailing coach will join members of the WAIS and WA Sailing Squad squads at the regatta at Hillarys Yacht Club between April 19 and April 21.
Stowell said sailors would gain experience through every chance to race in a regatta with more boats fighting to win, congestion at starts and mark roundings.
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READ NOW“As a coach it is a chance to test sailor’s training and provide analysis,” she said.
“In a coaching regatta we can sometimes give direct feedback on technical details, and it also gives us a chance to be closer to see and analyse more precisely.
“We are also expecting a strong WASS turn-out in the 29er and laser classes along with full rig sailors like Conor Nicholas, Caelin Winchcombe and Zac Littlewood.
“It was a great regatta last year, so to be able to build upon the numbers and fleet quality will be fantastic.”
Hillarys sailing coach and veteran offshore sailor Chris Kelly, Matt Jerwood, Dennis Jones and Chelsea Bradford will join the coaching team.
Classes invited to compete in this year’s regatta, which will be held on the west and north sides of Hillarys Boat Harbour, include optimist, laser, bic, minnow, national 125, taser, 420 and 29ers.
The event also continues as an optimist ranking regatta and the organising committee has been discussing whether to add other classes with state associations.
Visit www.hillarysyachtclub.com.au for more information.