Ben Austin (Colo HS) a recipient of a NSWCHS Blue for sailing in 1999 will be competing at his first  Olympics with his sailing partner in Qingdao, China later this year.

Ben achieved a UAI of 99.45 in 2000 and went on to gain his B. App. Sc (Physiotherapy) degree at the University of Sydney.  Ben was the World Youth Champion in the Laser Class and then was out of the sport for two years with a chronic back injury. 

Ben and his sailing partner Nathan Outteridge who has also had to deal with severe injury have come back in a big way.  Ben and Nathan claimed the Olympic Class World Championship defeating the British team in the 49er category earlier this year when sailing off Sorrento in Victoria. They have cemented their place in the Olympic Team and put themselves in as favourites for the Olympic Gold Championship Medal in China.

All of Australia will be watching their progress and wishing them well in what will be very stiff competition and conditions.