First female of Australian university fleet
Caitlin Davies downwind training on a light, sunny October day
Sailor Caitlin Davies has braved the elements of the cold Sydney waters to earn 6th overall and First Female in the three-day 2012 Australian University Fleet Racing Championships.
Caitlin, a Monash University student in the third year of her Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Emergency Health (Paramedic) degree at the Peninsula campus, said the event was important because she was defending her title of First Female.
“I have represented Monash University at this regatta for three years now. I am extremely happy with these results as I was competing against some amazing world class sailors on their home waters, alongside a few international sailors,” Caitlin said.
Caitlin drove the two-day journey along the Australian east coast to the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Pittwater, Sydney. The annual event is open to current university students and alumni.
“This year we had a very strong fleet of 34 boats. I was the only Monash University representative in the 2012 competition but I’m hoping in the future we will have more Monash sailors participating,” Caitlin said.
Caitlin is a member of the Sandringham Yacht Club and trains with their high performance squad three times a week, along with regular gym sessions.
“This regatta has fitted perfectly with my training schedules as I have had some more spare time post nationals before the season starts up again,” Cailtin said.
“Being part of the Monash University Elite Athlete Program has helped me greatly with various regattas while I’ve been at University. I also regularly use the Monash Sport gym at the Peninsula campus.”
Caitlin has a few hard months of training ahead of her before the regatta season kicks off again. She will compete in various state events, two national and two international regattas later this year.
“I’ve just got to keep following my motto ‘No excuses, just do it’,” Caitlin said.