Sailing Training
In 2005 the AIS Sailing program changed from a camps-based program in Australia to a camps-based program predominantly based in Europe during the months of March to July. There will be other overseas camps throughout the twelve-month program, these will be determined by the regatta schedule of each class. It is also expected that Squad members will spend time in China training each year.
When the program members are resident in their home states, they receive coaching and sports science support through their state high performance sailing program. These programs have been established in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia with further programs planned for Queensland and for the remaining States in the future.
Program members are usually employed either part time or full time. However, in the final two years before the Olympics, many return to part-time study or work in order to sail full time. Their training days vary across the week, but generally they train in the afternoon and then race with a local sailing club regatta on the weekends. It is expected that they train on the water a minimum of five days per week.
The training and competition programs for the AIS Sailing program vary across the classes, however, the athletes generally train and compete in Australia from October to March. Then they travel overseas to compete in major international regattas and class world championships from April to September. They select the events that attract the best boats from their class. The most popular annual domestic and overseas events are:
- April - Semaine Olympique, Hyeres, France
- May - SPA regatta, Medemblik, Netherlands
- June - Kiel Week, Kiel, Germany
- December - Sail Brisbane, Sydney International Regatta
- January - Sail Melbourne
- February - Sail Auckland.
There are many more top-level regattas throughout the year including Australian, European and world championships.
