Swimming has long been Australia's most successful Olympic sport. But London 2012 changed that dramatically, when our sailing team brought home three gold and a silver medal.
Recognising that success and determined to continue it at the 2016 Rio Games, the National Sailing Centre has outlined its ambitions,
The latest innovation is a new wharf at the base of the Australian sailing team. A headquarters their coach hopes will propel Australia to more glory.
"We will work hard.... to bring back the glory of Australia in 2016,” says Australia's head sailing coach Vicor Kovalenko.
After the Weymouth gold-rush the Ukraine-born Australian is being head-hunted by other nations, but there's no way the coach is leaving his adopted nation. And with an attitude like this, team Australia is lucky to have him.
"Australia is multicultural. Everyone has a chance to be rewarded. Love your country and you will be rewarded,” he says.
Kovalenko believes sailing is leading the way, and that other Australian teams could learn from combining the Paralympic and Olympic programs.
"Now is our time to share our experience. To share our knowledge."
"Winning an Olympic gold medal is a costly pursuit. The first phase of this investment is a $500,000 boatshed. But out here is where the real money is spent. $1.3 million to ensure this deck is up to standard to house the best Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
"Being able to use this facility is going to make us so much better come Rio."
The federal government is hoping to steer sport towards a prosperous future.
"We have record levels of investment in high performance sport and in participation sport. We just need to keep innovating,” says Sport Minister Kate Lundy.
And that means recreational sailors could also benefit.
"I feel good about how we are spending tax payer money.... Encouraging the next generation to take up sport,” says sports minister Kate Lundy.
WATCH: Extended interview with Sport Minister Kate Lundy:
Share
