Eleventh heaven for NSWIS sailors

Eleven NSWIS sailors have been rewarded for their outstanding form by being selected on the 2011 Australian Sailing Team.

Malcolm Page and Tom Slingsby once again lead selections for the team, each holding a number one world ranking in the men’s 470 and laser, respectively. Page and his skipper Mat Belcher and reigning world champions and Australian champions in the 470 class, while Slingsby was honoured last year as the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year after a standout 2010 season.

Tom Burton will join Slingsby in the men’s laser class after a breakthrough 2010 season. A silver medal at the 2011 Sail Melbourne Regatta and an 11th place at the 2010 Sail for Gold Regatta positioned Burton for his spot on the Australian team.

The dynamic duo of Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen will be leading the men’s 49er pack in the lead up to London. The pair has yet to be beaten at the venue that will host the sailing events at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Six NSWIS sailors line up in the women’s match racing. The world number one trio Nicky Souter, Nina Curtis and Olivia Price return to continue where they left off in 2010, while Katie Spithill and Jessica Eastwell are joined by Lucinda Whitty as Australia’s second match racing team.