Bunbury sailor Will Drew is getting ready for an explosive 2018 of rigorous training and competitions.
The 14-year-old is graduating into the Waszp class, which includes a fully foiling dinghy.
The sailor is also training for World Championships at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club in Perth, kicking off in January 2019.
Drew was looking forward to competing against some of the globe’s best sailors, including Olympians and gold medalists.
“I'm a bit nervous but really excited,” he said.
“I'm also in the advanced match racing institute at RFBYC, which is a type of sailing I am super keen to compete in on the World Youth circuit.”
Last year, Drew secured third at Australian Open Bic Nationals 2017, the Open Bic WA State Champion, Back-to-back Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club - Club Champion, and Best all round junior (Chambers Trophy) at Koombana Bay Sailing Club.
He also clinched the Myles South West Junior Sports Star of the Year and Bunbury Catholic College Junior Male Sports Star.
“It was an honour to win the award for the second year running,” he said.
“I had a really good year this year, it will be hard to top 2017 for results, I'm really happy with what I achieved.”
Drew was also named Waszp Australian Youth Ambassador.
He praised the Koombana Bay Sailing Club and South West Academy of Sport of their help in 2017.
“The local club (Koombana Bay) have been like a family to me,” he said.
“Lots of support, plenty of encouragement, and always interested in what I am doing.”
“I sail most weekends in Perth to get the level of competition required to perform at a high level, but I always nominate under KBSC wherever I am sailing around the World.”
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