Barbados has gained significant exposure through the attendance of a local sailor at a recent international sailing competition. Russell Streeter, a member of Team Sail Barbados 2008, attended the International Sailing Federation's (ISAF) World Sailing Games, held over the last two weeks in Austria. The event, held every four years in the middle of the Olympic cycle, is one of the largest multi-discipline dinghy competitions and attracted over 700 sailors from more than 70 nations. It included seven Olympic disciplines, two multi-hull classes and a team racing competition. Streeter was competing in the Men's One Person Dinghy class, which was contested in the hugely-popular Laser dinghy.

Streeter obtained funding from ISAF to attend the games, and the Federation was keen to publicise that fact. "I was interviewed twice while I was there and articles about me and Barbados' story appeared on the Games' website and in the local Austrian press," said Streeter, who commented that such events garner much free publicity for the Island. "Everywhere we go people ask what the BAR on our sails means…it's great exposure."

The event was held on Lake Neusiedl which, at around 35 km in length and at its widest 7 km, is one of Europe's largest, though it is only around 1.5 metres deep. The conditions were tough, varying from gale-force winds on one day to blisteringly hot and windless on the next, testing the mental and physical strength of the sailors. Streeter indicated that he was reasonably satisfied with the result obtained on the water, where he placed 31st in his fleet. "We are still learning from the big, successful teams such as Great Britain and Australia. There is still a lot of work to be done but I am happy with the progress thus far."

Australia won the most gold medals and was most outstanding team, winning the King's trophy, donated by King Constantine of Greece. The event climaxed on the final day with the finals of each class being held a stone's throw away from the shore, affording thousands of people excellent views of the racing between the world's best sailors. Coverage was given in the television and print media in Austria and Europe, as well as in sailing publications around the world.

This year the Team will be flying the Barbados flag in Holland, Germany, Poland, Croatia, America, Canada and possibly China. Streeter's interview can be seen on the World Sailing Games website: www.worldsailinggames2006.at. For more information on Team Sail Barbados 2008, please log onto www.sailbarbados.com.

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