With less than one month to go until the start of the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 presented by Jaguar Land Rover, training for the sailing competition has been stepping up as experienced Sailability coaches hone the skills of former Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel in Hansa 303s.

For the Hansa 303 class, Sailability Crystal Bay is coordinating training of Australian competitors Davin (Bear) Bretherton and Pete Arbuckle, both from Townsville and both amputees. The location is Pittwater, in Sydney’s northern suburbs. Coaches are Alan Jones (Sailability Pittwater), Bob Hamilton, (Sailability Crystal Bay) and Michael Leydon/Tish Leydon (Sailability Bateman’s Bay).  

2018 Australian Invictus Games sailing captain is Squadron Leader Robert Saunders. Rob is responsible for overall management of both sailing teams and will be skippering the Elliot 7 team.

According to Rob, training started with basic sailing and has progressed through to fleet racing and tactics, in conditions from drifting to surviving in 30-knot winds. “The coaches have kept the pressure on – there’s been no cruising days,” said Rob.

Peter: “My hopes are that I can put everything that I have been taught into practice and thus be a competitive Aussie veteran sailor.” Davin: “I’ve enjoyed the challenge of learning a new sport and I now want to prove that I’m competitive against other veterans who have conquered their injuries.” 

On Sunday 21 October, the sailing competition will be staged at Farm Cove on Sydney Harbour. Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club is providing on-water assets and the race management team. Cruising Yacht Club of Australia are providing the host venue, as well as on-water assets. Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron is also providing on-water assets.

The course will be to east of the Opera House in Farm Cove, off the Royal Botanic Garden. The spectator area is from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. Sailing will be contested over a 150-metre windward to leeward course.

There will be two classes. The Hansa Class will start at 11:30am. The Elliott division will start at 1:40pm. Each fleet will have three qualification races, followed by a medal race.  

The eight Hansa 303s will be supplied and prepared by Sailability NSW. According to Sailability Australia Chairman, Neil Anderson: “Through our branches, Sailability Manly and Sailability Middle Harbour, we are proud to be supplying the boats, insurance, transport and volunteers. Each boat has been prepared by Sailability NSW volunteers to ensure they have identical rigging for the competition.”

The storage of the Hansa 303s will be provided by the Legacy Marina Corporation at Rushcutters Bay, managed by Royal Australian Naval Association and Sailability NSW. RANSA are providing launching facilities for Hansa 303s as well as spectator boats for family and friends of competitors.
Sailability is an international organisation which was founded in the UK. HRH The Princess Royal, the Patron of RYA Sailability, is the aunt of The Duke of Sussex. The Duke founded the Invictus Games in 2014. The word ‘Invictus’ is Latin for ‘unconquered’ and embodies the fighting spirit of our wounded, injured and ill servicemen and women.

Pictures show:  Sailing on Pittwater. L to R: Trish Leydon (one of the coaches), Peter Arbuckle, Davin Bretherton; L to R: Peter Arbuckle, Davin Bretherton; L to R: Peter Arbuckle, Michael Leydon (coach), Trish Leydon (coach), Davin Bretherton, Bob Hamilton (coach).

Find out more about Invictus Games Sydney 2018 at https://www.invictusgames2018.org/.

Story by Graeme Adam, PR, Sailability Australia graemeadam1@bigpond.com.