Top three sailing accomplishments:
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2022 NZL Sailing Foundation Youth Team trials winner
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2019 Junior Gold Cup, Optimist - 1st
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2x NZ Optimist National Championship titles and 1x NZ Starling National Championship
Q & A with George
How did you get into sailing?
I got into sailing when I was around 9 and a half. Both my parents love sailing and have windsurfed and sailed keelboats for many years before my brother and I were born. I’ve spent many childhood holidays away on boats and have always loved being in and around the water. My brother started sailing and after seeing him out on the water, I couldn’t wait to try it. I did my Learn to Sail course and from then on I’ve been hooked
What is your favourite thing to eat after a long day on the water?
Can’t beat coming home to some steak and sausages to refuel.
Where is your favourite place to sail?
Antigua and Barbuda or Bermuda. Both of these places are absolutely amazing to sail in, but if I had to choose one, I think it’d be Antigua. 35 degrees, 15 knot trade winds, 4 metre swells.
What is your favourite thing to do when not sailing?
When I’m not training I like to go wing foiling or do some other sort of sailing/watersport.
Who are your role models?
I don’t really have any role models but I’ve always admired Kobe Bryant’s work ethic and mentality.
What is the best thing about sailing your youth class boat?
The competition. I’m very competitive and I love having a good 29er fleet within New Zealand to race against.
What do you hope to achieve in sailing in the next 12 months?
I want to win the Youth Worlds in the 29er, along with the two regattas leading up to it, the EuroCup and European Championship. I also want to win the New Zealand 29er Nationals beforehand. After that I want to phase from the 49erFX into the 49er and become competitive at the highest level as quickly as possible.
How will you prepare for the youth sailing world championships and which regattas will you be attending in the lead-up?
I am preparing simply by training as much as possible. Seb and I are currently doing a mixture of both 29er and 49erFX and we are currently sailing almost every day each week. We are aiming to work as hard as we can to improve and be competitive overseas.
What are your sailing career goals?
I want to win an Olympic Gold in the 49er, and I want to win the Americas Cup. I want to dominate the sport to the highest possible level.
What are the proudest moments of your sailing to date, and tell us how you felt?
Winning the 2019 Junior Gold Cup, 2022 NZ Youth Trials, and 2019 Optimist Nationals. Winning the Gold Cup is the most competitive regatta I’ve ever won. Every sailor there was incredibly good. Winning the Youth Trials was amazing because I know what lies ahead. Winning the Optimist Nationals was relieving because I managed to win all the races on the last day, including a must win final race to win the title. I was also proud of winning every NZ national ranking regatta in my last Optimist season.
Teammate: Seb Menzies
