After a horror start to her Olympic journey in Tokyo, Russell Island sailor Mara Stransky has bounced back as a force to be reckoned with at the Paris games in 2024.
Ms Stransky is Russell Island's first olympian who competed in the women's laser radial in Tokyo in week one of the games, she just missed out on the medal race after placing 14th in the competition overall.
Ms Stransky was raised on boats, born while her parents were sailing the world.
Her father and sailing teacher Andrew Stransky said although she had a rough start to her Olympic experience, he could not have been more proud of her performance.
"We would have been proud of her no matter where she finished, but to have produced such an amazing final day was more than we dreamed of," Mr Stransky said.
"Mara showed huge potential during the first three days of racing... leading the fleet of 44 on several occasions.
"On day one, heading out for her first Olympic race, Mara stepped on a large black sea urchin, the sharp spines went right through her rubber boots and into her foot.
"With time very short she sailed the first two races with spines still in her feet and a doctor removed them properly when she came back to shore."
The Olympic regatta consists of two races a day for five days with each racer's place adding to their score, aiming for low scores.
"On the last day Mara finally put it all together, showing beautiful method and superb tactics to hold off a large pack and win the final race.
"Unfortunately she just fell short by 10 points of making the medal race, but gained huge kudos with her team and worldwide for her amazing final day's performance," Mr Stransky said.
After a long journey through qualifications and COVID related setbacks Mr Stransky was relieved to see his daughter perform on the world stage.
"To watch her races was the most thrilling and nerve wracking as sailing is a sport where a change in wind can deeply shuffle the fleet in unpredictable ways."
He said with the knowledge and experience she had gained in Tokyo she was working towards the next Olympics in three years.
"Having felt the vibe of her male counterpart continuing Australia's dominance in the Laser standard class and winning a gold medal, she voiced her excitement to claim that feeling for herself in Paris 2024."
Emily Lowe
Redland City Bulletin journalist covering community, politics, crime and human interest stories. Griffith University Alumni.
Redland City Bulletin journalist covering community, politics, crime and human interest stories. Griffith University Alumni.
