On Wednesday January 28 2026 the Australian Sailing Team (AST) announced the appointment of Pittwater athlete Paris 2024 Olympian Jim Colley as the new 49erFX National Coach, marking the start of an exciting new chapter for the program.
“This is an amazing opportunity to take everything I’ve learned over eight years of campaigning and bring those lessons back into the Australian system, helping to build both the current and next generation of skiff sailors,” Colley said.
“There’s a really interesting crossover between the 49er and FX classes, and I’m keen to explore both the similarities and the differences while bringing my experience into the FX environment.”
Jim, who began sailing at aged 5, and progressed to become a member of the 2014 Australian Sailing Youth Team while completing Year 11 at Barrenjoey High School, states his favourite place to sail in Australia is here on Pittwater.
In March 2024 the AOC announced he and then sailing partner Shaun Connor, Manly 16ft Skiff Club, had qualified for the Paris Olympics in Sailing.
A key pillar of Colley’s appointment is a structured coach development plan designed to support his progression and benefit from world-class expertise. This includes mentoring from Master Coach Victor Kovalenko and AST Technical Director Michael Blackburn, alongside coaching advice from Rafa Trujillo and Arthur Brett. This approach supports cross-class development and leverages the collective knowledge of Australia’s medal-winning coaches.
On top of this, and available to all high-performance program coaches, the AST has the advantage of accessing the Australian Institute of Sport’s Coach Development program. A double win for sailing, as these services are provided by 2000 Olympic Gold medallist and former WAIS Sailing Program Head Coach, Belinda Stowell, in her role as AIS Coach Development Lead.
Underpinning this depth of support is Colley’s already established understanding of the coach’s role within a high-performance environment.
“For me, a key role of a coach is as a campaign manager. Someone who helps drive the values of the group and creates a positive training environment where athletes can get the most out of themselves,” he explained.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to have a huge amount of technical knowledge within the AST, and I’m looking forward to leaning on that expertise while contributing my own experiences.”
That philosophy is strengthened by Colley’s technical background, including his work within the technical teams both within the AST and at SailGP. This experience is expected to translate directly into the FX program.
“I bring a technical background, particularly around being data-driven and using better on-water information,” he said.
“There are a lot of ideas I’ve wanted to explore for a long time as an athlete, and now, as a coach, I have the opportunity to bring those ideas and relationships into the squad environment.”
Alongside his technical experience, Colley has been coaching since the age of 16, driven by a long-standing passion for giving back to the sport.
“Being able to give back to the next generation is incredibly rewarding. I’ve also learned that there’s a big difference between being an athlete and being a coach, it’s one thing to do something well, and another to communicate how to do it effectively.”
RPAYC sailor Jim Colley at a Coaching Clinic during the 2024 NSW Youth Sailing Championships
Colley is eager to return to the intensity of international competition from a new perspective.
“I’m looking forward to getting back into the high-pressure environment of Olympic campaigning,” he said.
“There’s nothing quite like the feeling of success, and the feeling of not achieving it either. It’s a rollercoaster, but ultimately it unbelievably rewarding, so to be a part of that and help foster success within the FX squad is incredibly exciting.
The AST extends its sincere thanks to outgoing National Coach Victor Paya for his outstanding contribution to the 49erFX program. Victor’s commitment, technical expertise, and care for athlete development have played a significant role in strengthening the squad and the broader performance pathway.
While he pursues new coaching opportunities with the ROCKWOOL Denmark SailGP Team, Victor will continue to contribute in a part-time capacity as Australian Sailing’s Double Handed Performance Coach. His ongoing involvement ensures valuable continuity and allows the program to continue benefiting from his experience, insight, and deep understanding of the Australian system.
Backed by a strong support network and deep system knowledge, Colley’s appointment signals a clear focus on performance, collaboration, and sustained success within the FX program.
Follow the Australian Sailing Team
Web: www.australiansailingteam.com.au
Instagram: @aussailingteam
