Sailor Campbell Patton in 2024 Olympic bid to represent Bermuda

With his life split across the seas – Sydney’s east and Bermuda – Campbell Patton can only represent one in his quest to become a second generation Olympic sailor.

One the eastern suburbs’ favourite young sailors is deep off the waters of Fort Lauderdale midway through the first of a gruelling set of events to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Campbell Patton, 20, was born in Bermuda but as his mum Christine, a sailing legend who competed in the 2004 Olympics, was also from Australia he moved with her to Double Bay as a teenager to complete his schooling.

The St Andrew’s Cathedral old boy has since lived across the east including in Point Piper and Edgecliff while he juggled studying a Bachelor of Sports and Exercise Science at Sydney University while training and working full time for his dad’s marine construction company to fund his expensive sport.

“I was training and racing out of Double Bay Sailing Club because one of my good friends Finn Alexander, who is a Sydney sailing sensation, was at Double Bay at the time,” Patton said.

“He convinced me to start sailing there and I am so glad I did because I got connected with an awesome group of locals.”

Patton, who still keeps his boat at Double Bay, said he had been blown away by the generosity of local sailors, including members of the Australian team, had shown him even though like his mum he is aiming to represent Bermuda.

Patton is chasing Olympic glory.

Following the event in Fort Lauderdale, Patton will head to training camps in Malta and Mexico before contesting the World, North American and Atlantic Coast Championships.

He is then eagerly anticipating a return to Sydney in September.

“One of my favourite parts of sailing in Sydney is going out off the heads in massive waves and swell,” Patton said.

Patton will spend the majority of his time abroad on the international circuit – an expensive exercise which has seen him turn to GoFundMe for help.

So far he’s raised just over $6000 of his $42,000 goal thanks to support from all over the world including his Aussie friends and family.

“Mum is a super inspiring lady in all forms really and her success shows me that I can do it (make the Olympic team),” Patton said.

“She has a pretty good idea of what it takes.

“I can’t wait to get back to Sydney.”

In order to qualify, Patton will need to be the top ranked Bermudan.

To support Patton’s Olympic dreams donate HERE