SailGP Inspire sailor Miles Davey hoping to make a mark in Sydney regatta
He has never even been on the craft he will sail in a major event on Sydney Harbour but that’s not worrying young gun Miles Davey.
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He’s seen a picture on the internet but sailor Miles Davey has never sailed the boat he hopes will carry him to a memorable win on Sydney Harbour this month.
Davey will have just a day or so to familiarise himself with the foiling, one-person WASZP boat before it’s game on in a unique competition being held alongside the the SailGP world sailing series.
“It’s just a boat with sails. It will be OK,’’ Davey, from Baulkham Hills, said of his limited preparation in the new boat.
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“I have never sailed a WASZP before but I’m super keen to try it.”
He’s also super keen to dominate the regatta being contested by 16 other rising stars of the sport.
“I want to win because there is a brand new WASZP on the line,’’ he said.
“I’ve been going super hard in the gym. I need that WASZP.’’
Davey, 18, has been invited to join other top sailing talent aged betwen 16 and 20 in a competition which is running alongside the Sydney opener of the Sail GP series.
This series is being raced by some of the world’s leading foiling sailors on Sydney Harbour on February 28 and 29 with Team Australia the defending champions.
The Inspire GP program will see Davey, who was won a multitude of Australian titles in the past and is about to start a university degree in commerce at Macquarie University, rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in the sport.
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Along with the Australian and Japanese teams headed by London gold medallists Tom Slingbsy and Nathan Outteridge respectively, the UK campaign is being hraded by Sir Ben Ainslie, who won medals at five consecutive Olympics - including gold in the Laser class on Sydney Harbour back in 2000.
“It’s a huge step into the big boys sailing league,’’ said Davey, whose long term goal is to represent Australia at the Olympics.
“I’d like to do well and get my name out there.’’
The Australian participants in the inaugural Inspire Racing WASZP program are: Rita Booth (Whale Beach), Ruben Booth (Whale Beach), Natasha Bryant (Newport), Alice Buchanan (Hobart), Will Cooley (Sydney), Archie Cropley (Northbridge), Miles Davey (Baulkham Hills), Evie Haseldine (North Richmond), Ryan Littlechild (Sydney) and Georgia Payne (Mandurah).
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