by Will Davies
The sixth Perth 2011 Emerging Nations Programme (ENP) begins this Sunday 27 March, bringing 11 exciting sailors from developing sailing nations to Perth in search of Olympic glory.
Implemented as a world first sailing initiative in July 2009, the popular Perth 2011 ENP project is proving its worth in identifying young international sailing talent, increasing their sailing skills and assisting them towards international success.
The concept was developed by Perth 2011 as part of the bid to host the ISAF Sailing World Championships in Perth this December.
It is designed to encourage developing sailing nations to participate in the Olympic sailing competition and to increase the number of participating ISAF member nations and competitors at the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships being held between 3-18 December.
It is hoped talented sailors identified during the ENP will qualify to compete in the World Championships and perhaps represent their country in sailing at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
The inaugural ENP camp was held at Fremantle Sailing Club in July 2009 and was the first of seven ENP intensive training camps held in WA in the lead up to the ISAF Sailing World Championships this December.
This camp is the sixth and will provide the athletes with their last chance to push for selection to compete in the World Championships.
Under the guidance of ENP Head Coaches Belinda Stowell (2000 Sydney Olympic Games Gold Medallist) and Arthur Brett (2008 Beijing Olympic Games Sailing Coach), they will be helped to be the best they can be.
The highlight of this programme will be the City of Perth regatta on Sunday, 10th April, to be sailed on the waters of the Swan River against the picturesque backdrop of the Perth City skyline. In a boost to West Australian talent, local sailors will have the opportunity to race against international athletes.
Perth 2011
