Elite sailor and Bachelor of Commerce/Laws student, Ross Beedle, is no stranger to aiming high.
In Year 12, he joined the one per cent of Queensland students to achieve a 99 ATAR.
And now, alongside long-time teammate Emerson Wheeler, he has made the significant step up from the 29er class dinghy to the Olympic standard 49er boat.
It’s a move that replicates that taken by triple Olympian, Matt Belcher - Bond’s most famous sailing alumnus - when he stepped up from 420 to 470 class sailing.
It was career defining progression.
“Matt won gold in Tokyo, silver in Rio and gold in London, which is a massive, massive achievement,” Beedle said.
“His journey to success took many years of dedication, talent and hard work.
“He’s an inspiring role model to me.”
The 2026 Judge John Newton Mooting Scholarship recipient will race in the European Championships in Germany this week, with the Junior World Championships in the Netherlands to follow on July 19th.
Beedle has been conditioning his mind and body to handle the senior racing class.
“The 49er is a very challenging boat in a heavy breeze and a completely different animal to the 29er,” Beedle said.
“It has a massive sail and bigger mast and the load through the rig was terrifying when we were first learning.
“We strategically started learning it in winter when the winds are lower and even then, when I first stepped on it, I didn’t exactly say ‘oh god, I love this.’
“I was like: ‘I need to get in the gym.’”
With extra motivation to build his physical strength, Beedle has been working his way through a gruelling training schedule.
A standard week of training for Beedle consists of multiple two-hour gym sessions, pool swimming, two eight-kilometre interval track sessions and three sailing sessions per week.
While seamen are well-known for their advanced knowledge of the ocean, being in peak physical condition is just as critical.
“My position is crew which means I’m at the front of the boat,” Beedle said.
“I’m like the engine - my job is to make the boat go fast.
“I need to have a very high aerobic base as my heart rate gets up to 185 beats per minute when I’m pulling the spinnaker up.
“I also have to be strong.”
Beedle is realistic about his first time competing on the international stage, and hopes the experience can provide a solid foundation for the duo to build on.
“We are still struggling with the fact that the boat is more adult than we are, so I don’t go into every race with a huge level of confidence just yet,” Beedle said.
“But I’m hoping that if I continue my training habits and keep getting stronger, my discipline and physical conditioning will be the things I have in my back pocket.
“That will fuel my confidence.”
Beedle approaches his study and sport with equal amounts of determination and discipline, and believes the two compliment each other.
“Sailing requires all of your focus,” Beedle said.
“You are totally consumed in making everything work so there’s no thinking about other stuff.
“It’s nice to know that I can relax away from my academics. It’s a massive mental health thing for me.”