Sailing Success for Sam

An opportunity of a lifetime

Year 7 student Sam Smith recently competed as one of only six Victorian Opti dinghy sailors in the 2024 VIODA Qingdao Exchange held in China.

The event is designed to provide an international regatta experience for junior sailors as invited guests of the Chinese Yachting association and is held in the Olympic sailing training facility in Qingdao.

Sailors attending from other nations include China, Japan, Russia, South Africa, Poland, Germany, Singapore, Thailand, New Zealand and Spain.

After the first 4 races Sam qualified for the Silver fleet and went on to secure the Bronze Trophy after a total of 10 races, even managing to win race no. 5 against tough competition from the Thai Navy sailing team and the Singapore Yacht club teams.

In addition to his excellent sailing results, Sam ran along a section of the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu in support of Connors Run #YourWayAnyDay.

What an incredible effort Sam. Congratulations from the entire Brighton Grammar community.