Earlier this year I was lucky enough to be one of five kiwi’s to be selected by Sir Russell Coutts to compete in the 2017 Open BIC Sailing World Championships in Circolo Vela Arco at the top of Lake Garda in Northern Italy.

The event went from 31 July to 4 August and attracted 200 of the best young sailors from around the globe.

I placed 32nd in the Under 17 Gold fleet with my highest placing being 4th.  An amazing result for my first international regatta.

The highlights of my trip were meeting Peter Burling and being coached by Russell in the week leading up to the regatta.

I would like to thank my parents for supporting my sailing in Dunedin and my coaches Warwick and Erik for spending their weekends on the water training me. I would also like to give a big thanks to Russell and Jenny Coutts for supporting me while I was overseas.