'GHS Sailing Talent' - Alice Goldsmith

A Q&A session led by Ella Weeks (AAP Ambassador)

What is your sport?

My sport is sailing. I sail in a topper which is a small single handed boat. I sail in races with other boats which involve going round courses on the water.

What age did you start?

I have been going in boats from a really young age with my Dad, however I started racing by myself when I was 8 and since then I have been racing each season.

What level do you compete at?

I compete at a regional level. I am in the London South East Topper regional squad this year and we train each month travelling round the zone. When it is a training weekend, I would normally leave very early on the Saturday morning to get to the sailing club where the training is taking place. I would then be training on land (fitness and theory) and on the water from around 9 until 4. I would do the same on Sunday. In between these squad weekends, I try to fit in traveler series.

How did lockdown impact your sport?

All of my squad weekends were cancelled and all sailing came to a complete stand still. I was able to do some skill focused sessions online and some virtual regatta racing. However it wasn’t really the same as being able to go on the water. I was able to do my qualifier to be selected again for the squad this year, however my first training weekend has been postponed and so far we have only been able to have one introduction online.

Goals for the season?

My goals are to improve as much as I can and start sailing lasers to then work towards the Youth squad as this is my last year in Toppers.

Career highlight?

Since I was 8, I have been racing in the Itchenor Junior fortnight which is two weeks of racing at my sailing club near West Wittering. I have done it each year in a Mirror with a friend, we always did quite well but never the best to our ability. One year I decided to crew instead of helming, in the top level for mirrors, we were one of the youngest boats in the fleet. We had a very tough two weeks and ended up winning the whole thing! The next year (last summer) I sailed in my Topper as I had done the squad. I had a difficult first few days as everyone sailing was at a very high standard and I ended up winning my first race, beating my close rival! Overall I came second, narrowly missing out on first place!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In five years, I hope that I am in the GB squad working towards different events.