The next wave of Australian sailors will take to the water on Tuesday, with the start of the Men’s Heavyweight One Person Dinghy – Finn, Men’s Skiff – 49er and Women’s Skiff – 49erFX. Australia has qualified boats in all three of these classes, including two debutants.

Tess Lloyd and Jamie Ryan will be first out on the water in the 49erFX class. For debutant Tess Lloyd, she’s fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming an Olympian after a near-fatal sailing accident in 2012 had doctors questioning whether she’d ever sail again. Ryan is also making a debut of sorts – she’s swapped from women’s 470 class (which she competed in at Rio), to the 49erFX class. 

Tess Lloyd and Jaime Ryan

In the Finn class, Rio Olympian Jake Lilley will be battling it out for Australia. The Finn has been gifted the smallest fleet at Tokyo 2020 for its last appearance at the Olympics, but it’s offering one of the strongest line-ups of potential medallists, meaning competition will be fierce. Lilley is coming into the event after picking up an 8th place at the 2021 Europeans and a 7th at the 2021 Finn Gold Cup. 

Brothers Sam and Will Phillips are both first-time Olympians – they’ll be representing Australia in the 49er fleet. The Aussie siblings have big footloops to fill, following in the wake of the London 2012 gold medallists and Rio 2016 silver medallists, Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen. They prefer strong breeze and big waves, and could be well placed to take on the Pacific swell of Enoshima. 

Will and Sam Phillips

Perth sailor Matt Wearn will continue his Laser campaign too with a big three-race day to make up for the postponement of his second race on Sunday, and Mara Stranksy will be back on the water when the Laser Radial fleet face-off in Race 4 and 5. 

Australia has fielded a 13-strong Sailing team, qualifying boats in eight of the ten Olympic classes.

First published on Olympics.com.au. Credit: Katherine Firkin

Images source: Sailing Energy