Family affair for Australia sailors vying for 2020 Tokyo Olympics
Australian sailors will get plenty of family time at the first major European regatta of the year with two sets of brothers, three cousins and two brothers and sisters competing in Spain.
Women's sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Women's sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Australian sailors will get plenty of family time at the first major European regatta of the year with two sets of brothers, three cousins and two brothers and their sisters representing Australia at the 50th Princess Sofia in Palma, Spain.
Cousins Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin are two of Australia’s biggest hopes for success in the mixed Nacra 17 class where the laters brother Paul is also racing with his crewmate Lucy Copeland.
KICK START: Aussie cousins sail to success
PAY BOOST: For WNBL players
Waterhouse, a member of the Australian crew in the SailGP world series, and Darmanin won silver at the last Olympics in Rio and have already indicated they are ready to go one better with gold at the first pre-Olympic Test event for Tokyo 2020.
Waterhouse and Darmanin started the sailing year in top form and bring the confidence of a World Cup win at Miami into the Palma regatta which starts early next week.
EYE IN THE SKY: Drone surveillance at Aussie surf life saving titles
KELLY SLATER: What is really motivating the surfing legend?
In the 49er class it’s the battle of the brothers in Spain with David and Lachy Gilmour up against Sam and Will Phillips as the two crews vie for one Olympic spot on offer in Tokyo.
Also competing is London Olympic gold medallist Matt Belcher with Rio silver medal winning crewmate Will Ryan. Ryans’s sister Jamie is crewing for Tess Lloyd in the 49erFX.
High Performance director Iain Murray says the Palma regatta will be a test of early season form for the Australian crews competing.
“This is an exam of sorts for them,’’ he said. “This is the first of the European season’s events, we’ll see if they are on trajectory, we’ll see where they are at.’’