Team WA's 29er pairings—Ben Pearson & Tom Hodge and Alice & Klara Travlos—are set to compete in the 2024 29er World Championships in Aarhus, Denmark. This event is a significant opportunity for these young sailors to showcase their skills on an international stage, gain invaluable experience and represent Australia with pride.

Ben Pearson and Tom Hodge have been preparing diligently for the event in Denmark. Although they are a relatively new pairing, they bring extensive experience in 29er sailing and have quickly established a strong partnership on the water.

Ben is a dedicated member of the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club (RFBYC) and Fremantle Sailing Club, achieving notable success, including a 9th-place finish at the 2024 29er Nationals and 3rd at the most recent State Titles. He also claimed 1st place in the RFBYC Consistency Series and 3rd in the Club Championships.

Tom Hodge, a long-standing RFBYC member, is well-known within the Western Australian sailing community for his videography at many World and National regattas.

He has also excelled in several sailing classes, having competed in previous 29er Titles and 420 World Titles in 2017 and more recently placing equal 4th at the 2024 29er WA State Titles.

Sisters Alice and Klara Travlos World Championships journey has been with dedication and rapidly developing skill in the competitive 29er fleet. They built their foundational skiff sailing skills under the mentorship of Perth Dinghy Sailing Club volunteers, who continue to support their enjoyment of speed, tactics and sense of community. Notably, after only 8 months in the 29er class, they clinched 3rd place in the Junior category at the 29er Nationals, secured 1st place in the Female category at the States and attained overall 1st in the RFBYC summer series Club Racing.

In preparation for the World Championships, Alice and Klara have increased their training from at least three times during the summer season to four times a week in the months ahead, through RFBYC and Fremantle Sailing Clubs. They are grateful for the peer support of sailors, athletes and mentors of all ages across WA as they explore the competitive pathway.

To ensure their successful participation, we aim to secure funding to cover the following essential expenses:

1. Travel Costs: Airfare and ground transportation for the team and their equipment.
2. Event Registration: Entry fees for competing in the 29er World Championships.
3. Boat Charter: Costs for chartering competitive 29er boats for the duration of the event.
4. Coaching Fees: Professional coaching by National 29er Association coach, Hayley Clark to provide strategic guidance and support during the competition.
5. Accommodation: Close to the sailing venue to ensure the team is well-rested and prepared for the event.



Your support will help these dedicated athletes reach their potential and achieve their dreams at the 2024 29er World Championships. Join us in making their journey possible!