Top-three sailing accomplishments
1st girl at the 2020 Starling NZ national championships and 2nd overall.
1st girl at the 2023 ILCA NZ national championships and 11th overall.
Making gold fleet and finishing 31st overall at the 2023 ILCA 6 youth world championships.
How did you get into sailing?
My best friend and I signed up for the Learn to Sail programme in 2015 after loving Waterwise - and I have continued ever since. Growing up with a 34-foot sailing boat that we had in the family at the time and sailing to amazing places also encouraged me to learn how to sail myself.
What is your favourite food after a long day on the water?
A big plate of pasta and Mum’s pasta sauce and salad or Dad’s baked potatoes with baked beans.
Where is your favourite place to sail?
Murrays Bay.
What is your favourite thing to do when not sailing?
Catching up with friends, sleeping, watching TikTok, going to the gym.
Who are your role models?
My parents and coaches.
What is the best thing about sailing in your youth class?
Being around my friends on and off the water.
What was the proudest moment of your sailing to date?
My proudest moment was completing my first ILCA 6 world champs in Poland, surprising myself with some great race results and getting into the gold fleet. It made me feel accomplished and proud.
What do you hope to achieve in sailing in the next 12 months?
Making the gold fleet in Brazil and improving my ranking from the result in Poland. I also want to travel to more countries around the world to race and perform against the best.
How will you prepare for the 2023 youth sailing world championships?
Lots of sailing practice, eating lots of the good stuff, and lots of sleep.
What are your sailing career goals?
To keep on enjoying the sport, competing with the best and travelling the world with it.
Naiomi Ferrissey. Photo / Adam Mustill Photography