The write stuff
12yo sails to pair of state titles
GEELONG Grammar School student Michael Parks showed he has saltwater in his veins after winning two state sailing titles in the past two weeks.
On the weekend, the 12year-old sailor, who also attends the Barwon Sports Academy, won the under-16 Sabot Class Victorian championships at Royal Brighton Yacht Club.
Parks won the title in straight races and held on to the state championship in this class for a second year.
The previous weekend, at the annual Super Sail regatta at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, he won the Victorian O’pen BIC Class state Championships in a boat made of recycled pens.
Parks said his win was all the more sweet as he defeated the O’pen BIC world champion.
“I was thinking it was a very tight competition because everyone was good and anyone could have won the regatta,” he said.
“I just sailed the boat, put my head down, concentrated and it paid off.”
This victory means Parks has qualified for the Australian O’pen BIC worlds team, which see him qualify to represent Australia in the North American titles at Miami Beach and the European Championships at Lake Garda, Italy, this year.
He has also claimed a spot to compete in the world championships, which are scheduled to be held at Safety Beach Yacht Club in Victoria in January next year.
“I would like to thank The Royal Geelong Yacht Club and my coach, Rodney Hagebols,” he said.
Parks is also the under-12 Optimist Class Victorian champion.
He said Geelong Grammar School was also represented by year 8 student Rhu Watanabe, who finished seventh in the under-16 category.
But there’s no resting on his laurels this weekend as Parks will take part in the always competitive International Optimist Class Victorian titles at Royal Brighton Yacht Club.
Parks, who has been sailing for the past six years, said he loved being out on the water.
“Sailing brings lots of benefits, for example you learn to be able to concentrate,” he said.
He also said that being able to maintain an uncomfortable position in a small boat in order to take the lead in a race was important.
“You learn to keep going when you are in pain, you think, yes, I can hang on and do this for another 15 minutes,” he said.
Parks said he also loves land-based sports including lacrosse, footy and cricket.
“But sailing by far my favourite,” he said.
“I’m planning to have a career in yachting if a couple of windows open up, such as the Olympics.”