Australian seamaner Shaun Connor, 25, and his partner Jim Colley won silver medals in the SL16 and 49er classes at the 2015 ISAF Youth Worlds. They also won silver in the renowned Hyeres race in the south of France in 2023. They are also qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Shaun Connor – Jim Colley Selected For Paris 2024 Olympics
On March 28th, 2024, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) announced the selection of four sailing athletes to represent Australia in the 49er and 49erFX classes at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which are now just over 100 days away. The selection of Shaun Connor and Jim Colley is a result of their long-standing friendship and more than a decade of sailing together.
“We first met when we were around 11 or 12 years old at a Manly Juniors training camp held at Middle Harbour Yacht Club. It was in 2013 that we decided to start sailing together in the 29er class.”
Colley reminisced
Their selection for the Paris Olympics comes after a strong couple of years, where they participated in regattas around the world and were named finalists in the Team division at the 2023 NSW Australian Sailing Awards.
Just a day after their selection for the Paris 2024 Australian Olympic Team, Olivia Price, Evie Haseldine, Jim Colley, and Shaun Connor are set to compete alongside 41 of their Australian Sailing teammates at the Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca regatta in Spain.
Shaun Connor Family Life
Shaun Connor, a 25-year-old talented sailing athlete, was born into a family of sailors on the northern beaches of Sydney, Australia. His hometown is Fairlight, Sydney. His mother’s name is Linda Connor, and his father’s name is Mark Connor. Shaun is the eldest child, with a younger brother named Nick Connor and a younger sister named Chels Conner.
For his education, Shaun attended St Luke’s Grammar School in Sydney. Alongside his sailing pursuits, he has also gained experience as a Site Engineer/Manager and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Construction and Property Management from the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
Shaun Connor Begen his Sailing at the age of just 4
Shaun’s local sailing club is the Manly 16ft Skiff Club, where he began his sailing journey at the tender age of 4. As he progressed in his sailing career, he joined the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club as his senior club. Shaun’s idols and inspirations in the world of sailing are James Spithill and Nathan Outteridge.
Shaun’s sailing career began as a crew member at Manly Junior in 2004, and his early experiences in the sport were heavily influenced by his family and friends. His first competitive event was the Singapore Opti Nationals in 2011, and he has been receiving coaching since 2013.
In addition to sailing, Shaun is known for his general interest in surfing and windsurfing.
The 2013 Youth Sailing Grand Prix featured seven different classes, including Laser 4.7, Laser Radial, 420, 29er, and potentially Bic Techno and Hobie 16. In the 29er class, Shaun Connor and Jim Colley were crowned Australian Champions and members of the Australian Sailing Youth Team, finishing second in the series.
In 2014, both Shaun Connor and Jim Colley, who were members of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club and youth sailors from the peninsula area, were named to the 2014 Australian Sailing Youth Team. They won the Youth Nationals in the 29er class, achieved a 6th place finish at the World Championships in July, and secured first place at the German Youth Nationals.
Connor and Colley were the only representatives from New South Wales selected for the team, and they competed in the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship held in Tavira, Portugal, from July 12th to 19th that year.
Shaun Connor’s Professional Career and Recent Years
In 2015, Shaun Connor and Sophie Renouf secured the silver medal in the SL 16 category at the Youth Sailing World Championships. They had an impressive performance, winning five out of thirteen races. However, they were narrowly edged out by the defending champions from France, who won the final three races and claimed the gold medal.
This achievement was particularly special for Connor and Renouf, as they had never sailed an SL16 before the regatta, making their silver medal win even more remarkable. The event also witnessed strong performances from other Australian sailors across different categories, contributing to Australia winning the Nations Trophy for the most successful team at the championships.
Also Read: Life of Australian Sailor Jim Colley, his Paris Journey
In 2019, Shaun Connor represented Australia in the SL16 multi-hull class at the Youth Sailing World Championships, with Sophie Renouf as his crew. They also participated in the Olympic Test Event in Marseille, preparing for the Paris Olympics.
In 2022, Shaun Connor and Jim Colley achieved a significant milestone by finishing fifth at the European Championships, marking a pivotal moment in their sailing career.
In 2023, alongside his sailing partner Jim Colley, Shaun Connor had a couple of strong years at regattas across the globe, demonstrating consistent excellence in competitive sailing. As a result, Shaun Connor was selected to represent Australia in the 49er class at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Shaun Connor and Jim Colley were also named finalists in the Team division at the 2023 NSW Australian Sailing Awards.
