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The recently formed Committee was elected by the sailing community and has just held it's first ever meeting. It was there that KING was elected leading representative and Dean MCAULLAY Vice Chairman.

The Committee will play an important role in providing input into the strategy and policies of Yachting Australia, particularly in the High Performance area. All members are either involved or have recently been involved in Olympic, Paralympic, International or Youth Sailing and KING believes they have much to offer 'We see a number of areas where our collective experience can help to develop the sport. We are excited about the opportunity to contribute to the success of Australian sailors on the international stage.'

Committee members are:

• Scott BABBAGE
• Sarah BLANCK
• Tom KING
• Dean MCAULLAY
• Nathan OUTTERIDGE
• Peter THOMPSON

KING was elected to the AOC Athletes' Commission by the 2004 Australian Olympic Team and as a result also sits on the AOC Executive Board. Somehow, between juggling his many sporting roles, he also finds time for his career at Rothschild and sailing as part of Richard PERINI's World Champion Farr 40 team to defend the Mumm 30 World Championships.

KING relishes his responsibilities, 'My experience has shown me how important it is for athletes to be involved in the decision making processes in sport' he says. 'We can't sit back and leave it to others. The sport of sailing has given me a great deal and I feel I can now make a real contribution. I know that all the members of the Yachting Australia Athletes' Committee see their role in a similar way.'

KING joins the Board as one of three nominated directors. The others are David KELLETT, one of seven ISAF Vice Presidents, and Adrienne CAHALAN, well known 470 and 18-foot skiff sailor, navigator and weather router, who joined the Board in December. CAHALAN takes leave of absence from the Board later this year to sail with Brazilian Olympian Torben GRAEL and his team, Brasil 1, in the Volvo Ocean Race. The remaining five members of the Board are elected by the Yachting Australia State and Territory Members.

Yachting Australia President Andrew PLYMPTON is enthusiastic about the make up of the Athletes' Committee and the nomination of KING and others to the Board. 'Since being elected President, my wish has been to see younger, active racing sailors become involved in shaping the future of our sport. We are fortunate in yachting to have people of such a high calibre that are both willing and able to make their contribution. I particularly welcome Tom and Adrienne'.

The Athletes' Committee plans to meet three to four times per year, with the next meeting scheduled for May. The Athletes' Committee can be contacted at athletescommittee@yachting.org.au.

Athletes' Committee Profiles

Since winning gold in the 470 at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Tom KING has continued to remain involved with the sport in a number of roles and was an Executive Member of Yachting Victoria in 2002-03. KING is the Chairman of the AOC Athletes' Commission and a member of the AOC Executive.

Dean MCAULLAY, a Chartered Accountant from Perth, has been involved in sailing since he was eleven years old. MCAULLAY campaigned for Athens in the Finn class and has also competed at international level in the Flying Fifteens and Etchells in recent years. MCAULLAY is involved at club level, sitting on the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club's Strategic Planning Committee.

Scott BABBAGE is the International & Recognized Classes representative from Sydney. BABBAGE has had a range of exposure to several international classes from 18' Skiffs to 29ers and from International Moths to Formula 18s. He is currently preparing a campaign for the 29er World Championships in San Francisco, along with a new hydrofoil Moth and another 18' Skiff. BABBAGE holds executive roles in the International 29er Class and the Australian International Moth Class associations.

Victorian sailor Sarah BLANCK was the Australian representative in the Europe class at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Her fourth placing was the best result for the Australian Team. BLANCK has competed internationally for ten years, winning the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships in 1995 and campaigning for the Sydney Olympic Games in the Europe class. Now working for the 2006 Commonwealth Games as a graphic designer, BLANCK is taking a year off before stepping into a Laser Radial to campaign for Beijing. She remains active this year by coaching youth classes in Victoria.

Nathan OUTTERIDGE is perhaps Australia's best-performed sailor at a Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship, claiming three gold medals in three years (2002, 2003, 2004). His versatility has shone through as he has excelled in a variety of classes including the 420, 29er, Laser Radial, 470 and Teams Racing. OUTTERIDGE teamed with Ayden MENZIES to be training partners for 470 World Champions Nathan WILMOT and Malcolm PAGE as they prepared for the Athens Olympic Games in 2004. Currently sidelined with a back injury following a car accident earlier in the year, OUTTERIDGE is working at the Hunter Academy of Sport in sports administration whilst preparing to take on the Olympic 49er class.

Peter THOMPSON represented Australia at the 2000 and 2004 Paralympic Games in the 2.4mR class and has competed in Open World Championships and Disabled World Championships over the last four years. A Financial Adviser based in Canberra, THOMPSON's experiences in disabled sailing and Paralympic sport will provide a unique insight and valuable point of view for the Committee.

For a complete list of all the news about the ISAF Athletes' Commission and news related to the Athletes' Commission CLICK HERE.