As the Star Sailors League Summer Camp 2025 kicks off, we’re proud to introduce one of the standout teams in the project — SSL Team Australia. With Olympic champions, America’s Cup competitors, and youth-class winners, this squad brings a blend of experience, raw talent, and serious competitive energy to the SSL arena.
SSL Team Australia has arrived in Grandson, Switzerland, as one of the first teams to begin training. The full crew is not yet assembled, but the core members are already on site — confident and fully focused on training and hard work.
The First Team Hits the Water in Grandson — Meet Them!
Team manager and coach Paul McKenzie is a true veteran of the sport. Born into a sailing family in Victoria, Paul began in junior dinghy classes before moving into high-performance catamarans. He represented Australia in the Olympic Finn class and competed in the America’s Cup. Today, he races large keelboats and brings a wealth of expertise to SSL Team Australia — both as a seasoned sailor and as a highly respected coach.
Skippering the team is Matt Wearn, one of the most accomplished sailors of his generation in Australia. A two-time Olympic gold medallist in the ILCA 7 (Laser), Matt began sailing at the age of four in a family steeped in the sport. Though he also excelled in Australian rules football, sailing won his heart. A multiple World Championship medallist, he brings not only speed, but fierce determination and the composure needed for high-pressure regattas.
Elite female athletes Annie Wilmot and Laura Harding continue their strong partnership from the 49erFX class aboard the SSL47. Annie, who grew up on Sydney Harbour, won the 2016 Youth World Championship in the 29er and has been part of the Australian Sailing Team since 2018. In 2024, she made history by competing in the first-ever Women’s America’s Cup, trimming on the port side of the AC40.
Her teammate, Laura Harding, began sailing in Melbourne on Minnows before moving into the 420, where she became both Vice World Champion and Junior World Champion in 2018. She transitioned to the 49erFX in 2019 and teamed up with Annie in 2021. The duo co-helmed in the 2024 Women’s America’s Cup, representing the cutting edge of Australian women’s sailing.
The team also features offshore talent in George Richardson, who grew up racing skiffs on Sydney Harbour. Known for her versatility, he moved from youth match racing into offshore competition, sailing on TP52s and Mini Maxis. His big-boat experience and tactical instinct will be crucial in mastering the SSL47 platform.
Veteran sailor Mark Bulka brings vast knowledge and solo racing experience to the squad. A specialist in the Finn class, Mark has won four World Championships and numerous titles in classes including the Contender, Etchells, SB20, A-Class Catamaran, and Sydney 38. His mastery of boat handling and tactics gives Team Australia a strategic edge.
From Olympic gold to offshore grit, SSL Team Australia enters the Star Sailors League project with a perfect mix of experience, youth, and versatility. As they take on the SSL47 this summer, all eyes will be on the green-and-gold crew pushing the limits on Lake Neuchâtel.
Stay tuned — this is a team built to win.
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