General News
19 September, 2022
Breanne sails towards lifelong Olympic dream
BREANNE Wadley has joined a highly prestigious list of some of the most famous names in Australian sailing including Olympic gold medallists after she won the Queensland Youth Sailor of the Year award in Brisbane recently.
Breanne has been sailing since she was four years old and feels right at home on the water, a fact she has proven many times over with numerous state, national and world championship titles under her belt.
She has been dominating Australia’s eastern coast sailing scene for the past decade alongside her older siblings – Travis and Kristen – and since August 2021, has won three state titles and one national title.
Breanne also just recently returned from competing in the largest youth championship ever, the ILCA4 Youth World Championship in Portugal and came 28th out of the 170 female competitors – the entire championship had a total of 450 boats competing.
Her exploits are not just contained to the water as Breanne recently attained a qualification to become an Australia sailing instructor, constantly volunteers her time to her home club – the Tinaroo Sailing Club – and is a shining role model to younger female sailors.
Due to her achievements both on and off the water, Breanne was nominated for the Queensland Youth Sailor of the Year award, following on from a nomination last year in which she finished as a finalist.
Out of the 10 nominations received for this year’s award, Breanne was chosen as one of the four finalists who were invited to attend the presentation dinner in Brisbane and when her name was called, she could not believe she had won.
“It was a bit surreal to hear my name being called because I was not really expecting to win so it was a pleasant surprise,” she said.
“I was up against some of my close competitors in normal racing and it was nice to beat them as well.
“I am happy to see my efforts recognised by receiving a prestigious award like this.”
Not wanting to miss out on any training, Breanne even suited up and sailed on the waters down in Brisbane during her brief visit to keep her skills sharp.
She trains at least three times per week on Lake Tinaroo, cycles and at-
tends cross-fit and uses every opportunity to learn and grow so that she can continue to be at the top of the sport that she loves.
Breanne’s name has now been etched into a perpetual trophy along-side many famous names in sailing including previous Olympic gold medallists, a feat Breanne hopes to accomplish herself in the future.
“The Olympics are possible but it is a very long road till then but this award gets your name out there and gets you recognised,” she said.
“You really have to commit to compete in the Olympics and be sure it is what you want to do.”
After winning the Queensland award, Breanne has a chance to compete for the Australian Youth Sailor of the Year award after going through another selection process.
However, she has chosen to not sit idle and is already away in Yeppoon competing in the Queensland Youth Championships with her brother Travis.
“I am really looking forward to it, we have done that regatta for the past 10 years and it is a really good atmosphere both on and off the water,” Breanne said.
“Because it is a youth championship all my friends from all different classes and types of boats are there.
“There are always great coaches doing the training at the beginning and I always learn a lot and meet new people.”
