SW sailor leaves challenge in her wake

Challenging was one way to describe emerging sailor Shannon Dalton and her new crew member’s pathway to the podium at the recent Singapore Youth Sailing Championships.

Despite having only sailed together a couple of times before racing in the international regatta in the South East Asian city-state last month, Dalton and fellow West Australian Jack Luketina proved a force.

The duo overcame shifty conditions and the pressures of competing to finish third in the Nacra 15 class of the event.

“On the last day, the top three boats were within a point, so it was really close,” Shannon said.

“And unfortunately, the last day I didn’t have a very good race but I ended up third.”

The podium finish is the latest in a long list of successful outings for the talented 16-year-old Leschenault resident who juggles her sailing career with Year 11 studies at Manea Senior College.

The South West Academy of Sport athlete, together with her brother Jayden, earned silver at the World Youth Championships in China late last year.

Dalton thanked SWAS for the support she had received from the not-for-profit organisation to pursue her sporting goals as part of the Individual Athlete Support Program.

“SWAS has been really great in helping with my gym membership and travelling overseas with some travel grants,” she said.

“It’s also really nice to have someone down south to support me.”