Sunshine Coast local and sailing enthusiast Eli Henebery and his Brisbane-based crew Kris Bilston are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime as Team Bolt Racing to compete in the World Titles for their sailing division in Spain.
After coming third in the Australian National Titles for the Formula 18 class of racing catamarans earlier this year, 35-year-old Henebery and 18-year-old Bilston qualified to compete in the prestigious F18 World Titles.
Competing at this event, set to begin next week, will mark a significant milestone for both sailors, showcasing their dedication and skill on the international stage.
Eli Henebery, a seasoned sailor with a passion for the sport, is particularly thrilled about this opportunity as it represents his first foray into international competition.
“Competing in the F18 World Titles is a dream come true,” Eli expressed. “It’s an honour to represent the Sunshine Coast and Australia on such a prestigious platform. I’m looking forward to testing my skills against some of the best sailors in the world.”
Kris Bilston, at just 18 years old, has already made a name for himself in the sailing community, demonstrating remarkable talent and a competitive spirit. He recently brought home Bronze in the Under 19s Gold Fleet at the Nacra 15 European Championships held in Italy in May this year.
“I’m incredibly excited to be competing alongside Eli in Costa Brava,” Kris said. “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to learn, grow, and make our mark in the sailing world. We’re ready to give it our all.”
The duo will be among 12 Australian teams competing against 134 boats from 23 different countries, racing over five days in the picturesque waters of Costa Brava, Spain.
Eli’s journey into sailing began in childhood, sailing a small boat called a Sabot inspired by his father’s interest in the sport. After stepping away to focus on school sports, he returned to sailing in 2013, reigniting his passion by joining local races at Lake Cootharaba.
“I bought a second-hand Taipan catamaran and quickly got swept up into the competitiveness and camaraderie of the sport,” he said.
His love for speed led him to the Akurra Formula 18 catamaran by Goodall Design, the boat they will be racing in Spain.
“It’s spent three months in a container being shipped over there, so when we arrive, we’ll be setting it up and can’t wait to get back on the water on it,” explained Eli.
In preparation for the competition, both Eli and Kris have been training rigorously, clocking hours on a friend’s boat while theirs has been in transit. They have maintained strict nutrition plans and regular gym sessions with personal trainer Pete Wand.
“Knowing that we’re about to go up against the top sailors across the globe, I took my training and nutrition very seriously,” Eli shared.
“I also learned that the winds are generally light in Costa Brava, so a lighter crew weight is ideal for racing. Kris and I both had weight loss goals to aim for while striving to maintain our strength and stamina, so we got professional support from Wand – Nutrition, Fitness, Family to make sure our food and fitness were right to make us as strong and as light as possible,” explained Eli.
Kris has been equally dedicated, setting up a spare boat in his yard to practice moves, transitions, and rope maneuvers daily to increase speed and strength.
Their local sailing community is eagerly anticipating their performance, confident that Henebery and Bilston will represent Australia with distinction.
Follow their racing journey on Instagram @boltracingau for updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses of their experience in Costa Brava.
