Townsville’s Breiana Whitehead has made historical past right now, turning into the primary Kitefoil sailor to be chosen for an Australian Olympic Group.
Kitefoil racing will make its debut at Paris 2024, with the self-discipline set to excite when competitors commences on the waters of Marseille in July subsequent 12 months.
This shall be Whitehead’s Olympic debut, as she turns into the primary Australian sailor chosen to the Australian Olympic Group for Paris.
Breiana Whitehead on the 2022 World Championships CREDIT Robert Hajduk
Breiana says it’s arduous to understand her journey from younger athlete to the Olympic Video games.
“I’m actually excited to know that I’ve been chosen to signify Australia in Kitefoiling,” she stated.
“I’m stoked that I’ll be racing within the debut of Kitefoiling within the Olympics and eager for the world to have a entrance row seat of our excessive adrenaline sport.
“Should you informed the little lady from Townsville who was obsessive about crusing that she was going to the Olympics in 2024 I don’t assume she would have believed you,” she concluded.
Breiana Whitehead is shortly studying the methods of Traunsee. Photograph: IKA media / Robert Hajdu
Kite Foil sailors can attain velocity in extra of 30 knots (simply over 55km/hr) as they negotiate racing techniques, rivals’ kite traces and the ocean within the latest Olympic class.
Australian Crusing President Alistair Murray spoke on behalf of the game earlier than the announcement.
“Australian Crusing is extremely pleased with Breiana, and we are able to’t await the world to get a style of what we’ve identified for years – that Kitefoil racing is vastly thrilling and that we’ve one of many highest athletes proper right here in Australia,” stated Murray.
“Australia has a wealthy historical past of success in Olympic crusing, and we look ahead to seeing Brei and the remainder of the staff add to that in Paris subsequent 12 months,” he concluded.
The 23-year-old Townsville athlete’s choice was introduced by Chef de Mission for the Australian Olympic Group Anna Meares in Sydney right now.
“Each athlete chosen on the Australian Olympic Group has an inspiring story. Breiana isn’t any exception.
“She began crusing in Townsville as an eight-year-old, making an attempt many lessons over her time earlier than selecting the brand new class of Kitefoil – and now she goes to signify her nation in Paris on the Olympic Video games.
“Congratulations to Breiana for this wonderful achievement in an thrilling time for the Kitefoil class which is making its first Olympic look in Paris.
“Breiana’s success is a tribute to these individuals who have supported her from a younger age – her household, coaches and others who’ve performed a component.
Breiana Whitehead Day Six. CREDIT Robert-Hajduk
Australian Crusing Group Excessive Efficiency Director Iain Brambell thanked the assist Brei had been given alongside her path to Paris.
“Brei started crusing on the Townsville Yacht Membership from a younger age, and with the assist of her membership coaches and her household has right now realised her dream,” stated Brambell.
“We might additionally wish to thank her Australian Crusing Group coach Shane Smith, and the staff on the Queensland Academy of Sport for his or her position in Brei’s profession up to now.”
Breiana achieved a quota place for the Paris 2024 Video games after inserting eleventh within the Crusing World Championships held in The Hague, the Netherlands in August this 12 months.
Breiana Whitehead Fast Details
- Aged: 23
- Holds an engineering diploma
- Membership: Townsville Crusing Membership
- Expertise: Olympic Debut, Kitefoil sailor since 2018
- Queensland Academy of Sport athlete
Greatest outcomes:
- Silver – 2023 Kitefoil World Sequence, Cagliari, Italy
- sixth – 2022 Components Kite European Championships, Nalpaktos, Greece
- seventh – 2022 Components Kite World Championships, Cagliari, Italy
- Bronze, 2019 Components Kite World Championships