The time has finally come for the RSA 49er team of Graeme Willcox and Andrew Tarboton to make final preparations for their trip down to South America for the World Championships. This event is their last chance to qualify for a quota slot for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. After this event, the only slots available are Continental qualification positions. There are just 3 slots for the Rio Olympics available to those looking to qualify at the World Champs. A tough ask, but these ‘Japies’ are tough sailors. Good luck guys – and hoping to see you as the third RSA team to qualify for Rio.
They leave the UK on Monday 2 November and will compete in the South American Championships in Buenos Aries. They will use this event to fine tune their charter boat and learn the local conditions. They then have a week of training between the two regattas, with the World championships starting on 16 November and finishing on 21 November.
Just recently they held a fund raising dinner at Bonne Bouche in Hamble. It was a great success with good food, great games and a chance to catch up with people they had not seen for a while. Graeme and Andrew thanked Lizzie Shawcroft and her family for all the work they put in to making it a success.
They have also set up a Crowdfunding page through which they hope to raise the funds to help cover their boat charter fees. Link to it HERE to assist their campaign.