Newly-crowned Laser Radial World Champion, teenager Zac Littlewood, has praised his extensive support network for helping him achieve one of the more remarkable results by an Australian sailor so far this year.

Littlewood was joined on the podium at Kiel in Germany by fellow youngster Caelin Winchcombe, who won the bronze medal with two wins in the final two races of the regatta.

Zac Littlewood (left) and Caelin Winchcombe.

Littlewood surprised the fleet at the 2017 Laser Radial World Championships when he won the bronze medal, aged just 16. He will be one of Australia’s representatives at the Youth World Championships at Corpus Christi in the US, starting on July 14.

“It’s quite special winning a World championship for the first time, especially having such a busy and challenging period over the last six months,” Littlewood said.

“My main goal for the regatta was to learn and gain more experience racing against such a high quality fleet in the lead up to the Youth Worlds. So a win in Germany just really acknowledges how great my support network is back at home.”

Littlewood thanked several people for their commitment to helping him reach this point.

“I have to thank my Grandmother Anne for supporting my sailing and also the incredible support led by head coach Belinda Stowell at the WA Institute of Sport and my yacht clubs, Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club and Fremantle Sailing Club,” he said.

“Along with all the support of my on-water coaches, Belinda, Arthur Brett, Thor Schoenhoff, Ben Walkemeyer and Ryan Palk - this result wouldn’t have been possible without them.”

Littlewood’s result is a timely lift for the Youth Team bound for Corpus Christi in Texas, including reigning Youth World Champions in the 420 class, Otto Henry and Rome Featherstone, and windsurfer Alex Halank, who will compete at his third Youth Worlds.

Littlewood said his routine for competing in Texas would not change from that which took him his recent world title.

“It’s a different venue and a different event, but so my approach stays the same as it was for Germany and like any other regatta.”

Australian Team For Youth Worlds

Youth World Championships Website

Australian Sailing Youth Website

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