Top three sailing accomplishments:
First female iQFOiL at the 2024 New Zealand youth championships.
First RS: Feva five years in a row at the PredictWind girls championships.
Second female at the RS: Feva nationals from 2020 to 2022.
How did you get into sailing?
I had a have-a-go day back in primary school and came home waving a flyer, saying I wanted to do this. My dad did a lot of sailing when he was younger and I remember going to the member's bar in Bucklands Beach Yacht Club after he had done a rum race, so that might have planted a seed...
What is your favourite food after a long day on the water?
Some days I'll crave a juicy cheeseburger and other days it will be a chicken korma on rice.
Where is your favourite place to sail?
Probably off Maraetai on a clear afternoon, zipping across the flat water between Maraetai and Waiheke Island with beautiful mountain scenery.
What is your favourite thing to do when not sailing?
It's not very often that I'm not sailing or doing something related to yachting, but wen I do have some time I typically spend it with a cold ginger beer or Soda Stream playing video games or hanging out with my friends.
Who are your role models?
My mentor Stu, who keeps pushing me to be the best person I can be and has been so supportive through my learning journey. Also, my friend Blake, who I think is amazing at everything he does and the amount of time and dedication he puts into his sailing and his work is really inspiring.
What is the best thing about sailing your youth class boat?
That the foilers are a squad. We are probably one of the most tight-knit fleets I have seen in my eight years of sailing. Everyone is willing to share information and support each other, which really helps if you need some help.
What do you hope to achieve in sailing in the next 12 months?
I hope to achieve the best result to my ability in Garda, then come back home and maybe train for the Asian championships, followed by nationals, Foil Bay of Islands and back again for youth trials next year.
How will you prepare for the youth sailing world championships?
Put in as many hours as I possibly can on the water or in the gym and make those hours as effective as possible.
What are your sailing career goals?
I'd like to be good enough to represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games, or maybe go down the newly-created female and youth America's Cup route. That would be pretty cool.
What was the proudest moment of your sailing to date?
Probably winning the female windfoil title at the youth trials. I didn't feel the endorphins kick in until I got back to the beach and saw my dad, who gave me a big bear hug. I couldn't stop grinning for the next 10 minutes or so!
Sofia Currie. Photo / Jacob Fewtrell Media