Lurati wins chase for gold
Sailing away: Chase and Paul out on the water during the race.
By Isaac McCallum
CHASE Lurati is a world champion at just 17.
The young Seaview resident earned a gold medal at the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship in Istanbul, Turkey, the pinnacle of youth sailing.
Chase has pursued his goal over many years, often travelling from one side of the country to another to compete in National championships.
The youngster was not alone, however, he was helped by his crew Paul Darmanin, who hails from Sydney.
“I’d met him a few times at regattas around the place and we knew we’d make a good pair,” Chase said.
Coach Johnny Rodgers said the hard work that Lurati and Darmanin put in on and off the water paid off when it counted.
”I’m really proud of the boys. They sailed so well the whole way through the week and worked incredibly hard for this win.
“They’ve both matured a lot throughout the regatta and were great to work with as a coach,” he said.
Stepping up to skipper the boat and with a new crew, Chase won the Hobie 16 Junior National title held in Adelaide in 2009. This result earned selection to the Australian Youth Team.
Although Chase normally sails a Hobie 16 catamaran, the boat selected for the World Championship in Turkey was an SL16, a boat widely sailed in Europe but not available in Australia. Chase and his crew were allowed only two days practice to familiarise themselves with this boat before the regatta.
Despite this handicap they sailed the nine race regatta competently, placing highly in every race and won the series with a comfortable margin over the second placed boat from Denmark, with the USA team in third place.
The winners of these events have normally gone on to represent their countries in the Olympic Games, something Chase has his eye on.
“This event won’t be at the 2012 games, but there is a push for it to be held at the games after that (in Rio, Brazil),” he said.
Chase says plenty of fitness is required in the sport, but that the mental side of things was much more intense.
“It’s such hard work mentally, there’s not a lot you can do to train yourself for it. I listen to music to prepare, but that’s about all I can do,” he said.
As skipper it was Chase’s role to steer the ship, and make the tactical decisions in the race.
The 17-year-old also plays football and basketball, and while the sports are nothing alike, he believes that his sailing has helped him immensely in these games, and vice versa.
“I am getting better at making quick, sure decisions, which is helping,” he said.
Chase learnt to sail at a very young age at the South Gippsland Yacht Club at Inverloch, and says that sailing provides a challenge most sports cannot.
“The sport is so challenging, and it’s personal challenges, because you’re not relying on the team,” he said.
Chase is now giving back to other juniors in a program that the club has just started, the Tackers Program.
“The program is for young kids aged five to 10, and we teach them water safety, sailing and how to control situations they might not be comfortable with,” he said.
The youngster is one of four coaches, and believes it is important to give back to the club which has helped him so much.
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