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Robbie Li Bassi fell in love with sailing at a very young age and, due to her parents’ careers, was dipping her toes in international waters long before many of her peers had even mastered the Optimist.
Recently though, the 21-year-old Wellingtonian has settled in Auckland – working as an apprentice sailmaker for North Sails, with dreams of a future on big boats.
In the latest of our regular feature shining the spotlight on the country’s yachting community and the people at its heart, we talk to Li Bassi about finding her feet in the industry, the rush of seeing her handiwork in action, and how it was almost unavoidable that she would end up in the City of Sails.
How did you get into sailmaking and what does a typical day look like for you?
In my first year in the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Youth Training Programme, my coach told us about this job opportunity. I thought I should give it a go since it is great chance for me to get into the sailing industry. I have been working for North Sails for just over two years now.
My day starts at 7.30am and we make some sails! Depending on the workload, I can be working in the upwind department, spreading, and detailing blanks, or I could be in the downwind department. Unlike upwind, building a downwind sail still involves getting multiple panels from the plotter where you then have to stick them together creating the full sail.
What do you enjoy most about the job?
There really isn’t anything I don’t enjoy about working at Norths. However, one of the things I would say I enjoy the most about sailmaking is seeing a sail coming to life. Putting the time and effort in the small details and then seeing the sail out on the water gives me great satisfaction. Norths also feels like a family to me…they are a unique bunch of people and I genuinely enjoy working with them.
Tell us a bit more about yourself.
I was born in Wellington, however, we moved to several different countries growing up - mainly in Europe due to my parents’ jobs. I spent most of my childhood in Geneva, Switzerland and Vienna, Austria. I have an older sister who is 23 and she is currently completing an internship at the United Nations in Vienna. My mum works for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Geneva, and my dad works for UN Development Programme (UNDP) Geneva.
What is your sailing background?
I was about 6 when my sister joined a yacht club and started sailing an Optimist. I thought it was really cool and I also wanted to sail but I was too young and had to wait until I was 7. Being a stubborn child, I insisted on it until my dad went to the head coach and begged them to allow me to join. My coach finally agreed to give me a trial day to see how I would go, and then they decided to let me join.
I went on racing in the Optimist and then moved on to the 420 with my sister. Once I finished school, I moved to Cowes, Isle of Wight to complete a Yachtmaster Offshore course. Shortly after, I moved to Auckland and joined the RNZYS Youth Training Programme for two years. I am currently sailing on various yachts, trying to get more into bigger boats and offshore racing.
What is your earliest sailing memory?
My very first Opti regatta. It was blowing around 25kn and all of my teammates were nervous to get out there. Strangely, the briefing was very serious but I remember being very confused as I didn’t understand why everyone was being so dramatic – I was just very excited to get out there! It was an absolutely epic regatta and I remember getting out there and absolutely loving it.
Robbie Li Bassi is an apprentice sailmaker at North Sails in Auckland.
Do you have any favourite boats or sailing spots?
I have enjoyed sailing all the different boats for different reasons and although I think different places are unique in their own way, I especially enjoyed sailing in The Solent [strait between the Isle of Wight and mainland Great Britain] and the south of England, despite the cold weather, for the various conditions.
Do you have any role models in sailing?
Two names that come to my mind would be [French adventurer and writer] Bernard Moitessier and Tracy Edwards [British skipper of the first all-female crew in the then-Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race]. I’ve always admired Tracy’s determination, attitude and passion for her goals and I admired Moitessier’s free spirit and love not only for the sport but towards nature as well.
What are your thoughts about career pathways in sailing for young people, and especially young women?
I am still very new to the industry but I do think there are many different opportunities available and that it’s just a matter of wanting to get out there. It can be somewhat challenging at times not being sure what your next step will be, but I am very keen to keep going and find that out!
What is next for you?
I am currently finishing my sailmaking apprenticeship as well as completing my Bachelors of Arts degree in Education. In the meantime, I am trying to get involved in as many sailing opportunities as I can. To be honest, I am not sure what the future holds, but I am very excited to hopefully get into some offshore racing.
For more information on North Sails NZ, click here.
