Top three sailing accomplishments:
11th at the 2023 29er world championships.
First at the 29er nationals in 2023.
P-Class national champion in 2019 and 2021.
How did you get into sailing?
I started sailing in a Mistral with my dad when I was 8. We would sail out of Tamaki Yacht Club and do some of the weekend racing and regattas. I then sailed Optimists at Kohimarama Yacht Club.
What is your favourite food after a long day on the water?
Cereal or chocolate milk.
Where is your favourite place to sail?
Noumea, New Caledonia.
What is your favourite thing to do when not sailing?
Wingfoiling with mates.
Who are your role models?
DamienLeroy, my parents and my grandad.
What is the best thing about sailing your youth class boat?
The speed and the tightness of the racing, it is a very tactical class with large fleets so there are always big gains and losses to be made, making for some exciting racing.
What do you hope to achieve in sailing in the next 12 months?
I hope to perform to our ability at the youth worlds and then transition into the 49erFX with my brother Rowan, building up our skills and size so we can transition to the full rig by the end of the year.
How will you prepare for the youth sailing world championships?
Sail every weekend between now and the youth worlds and during the week work on my fitness. We are also going to sail in the Europeans which happen just before the youth worlds, making it the perfect warm-up regatta.
What are your sailing career goals?
To compete in the Olympics, as well as continuing to enjoy sailing to an old age.
What was the proudest moment of your sailing to date?
The comeback that we achieved at the 29er class worlds in 2023. After qualifying we were much further back than we were hoping to be, but in the finals series, we turned it around and managed to finish up 11th, just outside our goal of top 10. I felt proud of how we didn’t give up when things didn’t go our way.
Sean Kensington and Will Leech. Photo / Jacob Fewtrell Media