Tom Slingsby - Laser - Men's One Person Dinghy

ISAF World Ranked 1^st

Home: Gosford, NSW
DOB: 5th Septeber 1984
Sailing Club: Middle Harbour Yacht Club & Gosford Sailing Club
Awards: 2008 Australian Male Sailor of the Year
Greatest Achievment: Winning the Laser World Championships back-to-back 2007 & 2008

About Tom:

Back-to-back Laser World Champion 2007 & 2008, Tom Slingsby, has his eyes set on Gold at Beijing after his recent string of victories. The 23-year-old from the Central Coast of NSW was introduced to the sport by his family at the age of eight. “My Dad is my biggest support. He’s taken me on yachts all my life and helps me in every way,” said Slingsby who will enter his first Olympic Games this summer as a hot favourite for the podium.

Results:

2008 Kiel Week - 1st
2008 Delta-Lloyd Regatta (Holland Regatta) - 1st
2008 Laser World Championship - 1st
2008 Sail Melbourne Regatta - 3rd
2008 Australian Laser National Championship - 1st
2007 Sydney International Regatta - 2nd
2007 Olympic Test Event - 4th
2007 Laser World Championship - 1st
2007 Laser European Championship - 1st
2007 Holland Regatta - 1st
2007 Hyeres Regatta - 2nd
2007 Princess Sofia Trophy - 5th

Tom's Story:

Tom had a promising tennis career ahead but found sailing more to his liking and cut tennis out at 15.

Living by the water on the Central Coast of NSW, Tom is from a sailing family and first remembers sailing competitively at eight “I’ve looked up to many people along the way. Robert Scheidt, because he’s a great sailor and keeps proving everyone wrong and Michael Blackburn because he’s improved my sailing, I wouldn’t be where I am without him.”

“But my Dad is my biggest support. He’s taken me on yachts all my life and helps me in every way - makes sure I have everything I need. He’s behind me 100 percent – all my family are.”

Happy to finish school with the blessing of his parents, Tom opted to sail full time and coaches for pocket money when time provides.

The now 23 year old scored his first major win at the 2000 Laser Radial Nationals and lots more followed. Tom won his first ISAF Grade One Events in 2005 at Hyeres Regatta in France. Tom has since won an impressive ten Gold, eight Silver and three Bronze Medals at ISAF Grade One Events and two World Championship titles placing him firmly at the top of the ISAF World Rankings.