Living an island life has meant twin brothers Russell and Connor Harris have always been in or around boats, and the young pair’s hard yards on the waves are paying dividends as they head to the 2022 Queensland Open Skiff Championships this weekend.
They’ve been skiff sailing for just two years, but with their father a skipper and being a part of a sailing adventure as a family from Greece to Australia over a couple of years, the boys seemed destined to take up their own mast and hit the seas.
Proving to be the region’s emerging athletes, they have had recent success in the Under 13 division at the Open Skiff National Championships in January at Mannering Park Sailing Club, NSW - Russell placing 2nd and Connor 3rd.
The prodigal sons, who recently started high school at Whitsunday Christian College, split their training time between the Hamilton Island and Port Denison Sailing clubs.
This weekend, they will be competing at the 2022 Queensland Open Skiff Championships at Southport Yacht Club, and in mid-April in the Sail Airlie.
But it’s not just the weekend that these highly motivated twins have in their sights – their ultimate goal is competing at the ISAF Open Skiff World Championships in Carcans, France in July.
Their mum, Jeanette Harris, said that the French event represents an important regatta in their sporting development.
“They are excited and a little bit nervous - typical eleven-year-old boys so it’s a little bit hard to judge,” Jeanette laughed.
“I don’t know if it’s the twin factor that is the reason that they don’t over celebrate their wins, because you never know you if your twin brother will beat you next time!”
Alongside the Australian Sports Foundation, the family have launched funding campaigns to raise $5,600 each before the 1 May to cover regatta entry fees, boat charters and overseas travel and accommodation – they’ve raised $2,160 each so far.
You can donate to them each at the individual pages, with donations tax deductible: https://bit.ly/3DaqNC6 and https://bit.ly/3qwVCeT
Russell and Connor Harris on their Skiffs
(L-R) Russell and Connor at the Open Skiff National competition last year
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