Sailing Mates from Sydney’s Northern Beaches Eyeing Paris Olympic Medal in Special Skiff

Sydney sailors Jim Colley and Shaun Connor are setting their sights on a Paris Olympic medal in the unique 49er skiff, a craft designed by Australian Julian Bethwaite. The duo, who have been sailing together since they were just 10 and 11 years old, are confident in their abilities and their long-standing friendship.

Colley, 26, and Connor, 25, have been racing in various classes of boats for years, but it wasn’t until recently that they started to see success at the international level. Last year, they won silver at the Hyeres Olympic class regatta, marking their first major medal. They followed that up with a fifth-place finish at the European championships, showing that they have what it takes to compete with the best in the world.

Their recent 11th place finish at the world 49er skiff championships in Lanzarote, Spain, was a personal best for the duo and has only fueled their determination to succeed at the Paris Games. Despite facing adversity and tough competition, Colley and Connor remain focused on their goal of winning a medal.

“We are solely here to win a medal and we have full belief in our ability to do that,” Colley said. “We are not top dogs. We are underdogs, But it’s easier to be underdogs and that’s something we have in our favor.”

With their strong work ethic and refusal to give up, Colley and Connor are ready to take on the challenge of the Paris Olympics. As they prepare to compete in Marseille, the sailing program will be one to watch, with the Australian duo looking to make a name for themselves on the international stage.