Success requires youth and persistence

Success in Sailing at the Olympic Games relies on many variables, but one key component is persistence. Any person with the intention of just one campaign is more about postponing life than putting forth a legitimate effort, but a key component to persistence is age.

Take for example, nearly every athlete on the USA team began their Olympic campaign after completing college. With several now in their 30s, and despite failing to medal, attrition is anticipated. Conversely, Australia which was fourth best in the medal count at Paris 2024, had one of the most youthful teams in recent years, with an average age of 24.

“I am incredibly proud of how the team came into Marseille…three-quarters of the team was new to the Games environment,” noted Australian Sailing Team High Performance Director Iain Brambell.

“On average across the ten Olympic events, our National Squad members are three to four and in some instances ten years younger than the average age of those standing on the Olympic podium in Marseille.

“This bodes very well for our team on the road to LA 2028 as no member of the 2024 Australian Olympic Sailing Team is content with their performance in Marseille and is now driven more than ever to achieve greater podium success in 2028.”

The land down under is coming!

Medal Count (G-S-B)
Netherlands: 2-0-2
Austria: 2-0-0
Italy: 2-0-0
Australia: 1-1-0
Israel: 1-1-0
Great Britain: 1-0-1
Spain: 1-0-0
France: 0-1-1
New Zealand: 0-1-1
Sweden: 0-1-1
Argentina: 0-1-0
Cyprus: 0-1-0
Denmark: 0-1-0
Japan: 0-1-0
Slovenia: 0-1-0
Norway: 0-0-1
Peru: 0-0-1
Singapore: 0-0-1
USA: 0-0-1

Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Program:
Men’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 7
Women’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 6
Mixed Two Person Dinghy – 470
Men’s Skiff – 49er
Women’s Skiff – 49erFX
Men’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class
Women’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class
Men’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL
Women’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL
Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17

Venue: Marseille, France
Dates: July 28-August 9

Details:
• Paris website: https://www.paris2024.org/en/the-olympic-games-paris-2024/
• World Sailing microsite: https://paris2024.sailing.org/