Finn Australian Sailing Team Members 2009

The Australian Sailing Team Finn Class Members 2009;

Brendan Casey (QLD) & Anthony Nossiter (NSW)

Anthony Nossiter (NSW)

Beijing 2008 was Anthony Nossiter’s third Olympic Games. At the 2004 Athens Games the certified practicing accountant from Sydney placed an impressive 6th in the Finn Class and at the Sydney 2000 Games he finished 13th. The former Volvo Ocean Racer is on track for another successful Olympic campaign. Shortly after racing in the America’s Cup as part of Italy’s +39 Team, Anthony clinched 10th place at the 2007 ISAF World Sailing Championships followed up by a 12^th at the 2008 Finn Gold Cup in Melbourne.

Results:

2007 World Championships - 10th
2007 America’s Cup Sailor.
2007 Kiel Week (ISAF Grade 1) – 4th
2008 World Championships - 12th
2008 Sydney International Regatta (ISAF Grade 1) - 7th
2008 Sail Melbourne Regatta (ISAF Grade 1) – 9th
2008 Australian National Championships – Bronze (1st AUS)
2008 Lake Garda – 10th
2008 European Championship – 15th  

Brendan Casey (QLD)

Born into a competitive sporting family, Brendan was raised to believe that anything was possible, as long as you are committed, courageous and determined.

Early on, the Queenslander played soccer, tennis, swam and competed in cross country running. His father Norm, is a competitive ocean racer and he encouraged and developed his three children’s love affair with all water sports. But it was brother Stewart's win at the 1991 Laser Radial Worlds that stirred something inside. Brendan says "I wanted to be just like him."

A member of the Australian Youth Team and winning the 1995 and 1996 Laser Radial Worlds, Brendan was the right age when the Laser first gained Olympic status in 1996. As the push began for the Sydney 2000 Games, the opportunity came to train and race with the world's best. A ninth at the 2000 Laser Worlds and a National Championship victory nearly got him there.

A Griffith University sport scholarship student, he graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor of Business in Marketing and Management. During his studies he founded Sail Equipment Australia, a clothing brand specifically for sailing dinghies.

His passion is sailing, but his Athens campaign was cut short due to an ankle injury in 2003, leading to a significant fall in confidence, fitness and performance.

"Solutions not problems" is the phrase that best describes this inspirational sailor who enjoys the hustle of large spectator sports, a far cry from the single handed sailing he's used to.

In August 2006 the decision was made to switch Brendan from the Laser class to the Finn class. His first international event was the Qingdao International Regatta in China where he finished in 12^th place. Since then, the former Laser Champion has come a long way in the Finn class posting his first win at the 2006 Australian Finn Championships.

"I feel I have made dramatic progress over the last couple months in the Finn class but need to work on my boat handling skills. The Finn is a big boat and if you're not careful the boat can sail you instead of you sailing the boat" Brendan said.

When the sailing and training schedules permit, Brendan enjoys socialising, wakeboarding, surfing and reading. "I like reading about people who overcome the odds, successfully prepare, or have a stroke of luck that allows them to achieve their goals - like Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods and Steven Bradbury.”