Jack Lloyd and Tom Trotman compete at the Sailing Global Teams Racing Challenge
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| Tom and Jack with the Australian Sailing team. Photo: Jack Lloyd. |
Monash University had not one but two students compete at the recent Sailing Global Teams Racing Challenge in New York.
With teams from all over the world, our boys Jack Lloyd and Tom Trotman represented Australia at the inaugural event.
Both Jack and Tom had recently competed at the UniSport National Championships before heading to New Port, New York.
Looking to take their good form from Nationals, where they won a silver medal, Jack and Tom had to get used to the different conditions and rules.
“The format of racing was quite different to any other form of sailing I've done before,” said Jack.
The regatta paired countries against each other with each country having two boats; the team with whose boat comes in last place loses the match-up.
Jack said that the practice day on the Thursday, which was the day before the competition started, was crucial to their chances during the competition.
They used the day to get used to a boat that they had never sailed in before, in addition to getting used to the waters.
With competition starting in windy conditions on the Friday, Jack, Tom and their crew quickly adjusted to the foreign conditions and worked out the strengths of the other teams.
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| Photo: Jack Lloyd. |
The Australian team started slowly but as the weekend continued, they found some form and finished the last day strong.
The Australian team finished 9th overall and qualified for next year’s event in Cowes, England.
“We came away from the regatta learning a lot about this new style of racing and knowing what we need to do to improve on our first experience in this new format.”
“From here, I have a very busy schedule with fleet racing traveling to NSW, TAS and NZL in the coming months for various regattas and possibly Miami early next year.”
“In addition, we will begin preparation for next year’s Global Teams Racing Challenge, but before any of this, I have to get through my exams first!”
“Thanks to Monash University for all their support in the previous few weeks, none of this would have been possible without the support of the Elite Student Performer Scheme. I look forward to representing the University for some years to come.”
Awesome stuff Jack and Tom! #MonashPride
Written by: James Oana
Media Coordinator
