At just nine years old, Williamstown’s Ashton Rawstron will be one of the youngest sailors competing in the Cadet World Championship in Germany this year.
The Royal Yacht Club of Victoria member is the youngest entrant in the club’s 165-year history.
He will crew the boat Spitfire, skippered by fellow club member Peter Allen, aged 15.
They qualified for the world cadets after finishing fifth from more than 65 entrants in the national championships at Metung in January.
It’s an incredible feat for Ashton, who only learned to sail a year ago.
But he likes to move fast – especially when it’s windy.
“I started sailing in the Tackers school-holiday program when I was eight years old and I enjoyed it,” Ashton said.
“I then did level 2 in Tackers and soon after I was lucky to do a trial to crew for the International Cadets Class 6th Fleet.”
A third club member, Ollie Grieve, 12, is also headed for the championships. He will crew a Royal Geelong Yacht Club boat named Sparkle, with skipper Emma Kelly.
The Cadet World Championship will be held from July 6 to August 3.
The next Tackers program is from April 9-13. Details: 93971277.
