Top three sailing accomplishments:
I've had an awesome 2021-2022 season winning 1st girl over many regattas, over different classes but my top three accomplishments would be:
● 2021 P-Class Tanner and Tauranga Cups - 1st Girl (5th & 4th overall)
● 2021 NZ Starling Nationals - 1st Girl
● 2022 NZ Youth Trials- 1st Girls 420
Q & A with Nicola
How did you get into sailing?
My family has a background in sailing so my sisters were encouraged to enrol in learning to sail at Kohimarama. I was left on the beach watching them sail for many seasons so as soon as I turned 8 I joined too.
What is your favourite thing to eat after a long day on the water?
After a long day of sailing I like to have Pasta or a pie.
Where is your favourite place to sail?
It's really fun to travel around New Zealand and go to places I wouldn't normally travel to but my favourite place to sail is on the Waitemata Harbour as it has a wide range of conditions and is close to home.
What is your favourite thing to do when you’re not sailing?
I like to go for a run when I'm not too tired after sailing or hanging out with my friends.
Who are your role models?
Current and ex Olympian women in sailing.
What is the best thing about sailing your youth class boat?
I like sailing the 420 because the level of racing is higher and I can sail with a good friend and have fun.
What do you hope to achieve in sailing in the upcoming year?
I hope to improve my result from last year in the Starling Nationals down in Napier in April and I'm excited for the experience and hope I do my best at the youth worlds.
How will you prepare for the Youth Sailing World Championships and which regattas will you be attending in the lead-up?
Dani and I will be preparing for the Youth World Championships by training with the equipment that we will use overseas (Nautivela boats and North Sails), training in conditions/waters that best replicate The Hague, Netherlands (Bayswater and Wakatere) and having determined training partners and coaches.
What do you hope to achieve in your sailing career?
To continue to represent New Zealand at a high level of sailing whether that is at another worlds at an Olympic level. When I'm older it would be a great opportunity to sail in Sail GP (or other high performance sailing) and to try some offshore sailboat racing.
What was the proudest moment of your sailing to date, and tell us how you felt?
We have worked very hard this season, after the youth trials it was the best feeling knowing our very hard training paid off in the end. We still have a lot of training ahead for the youth worlds but it feels really good getting the first step done.
Teammate: Daniella Wooldridge
