Sailingfast Team Riders

Flo Tovey

What is your age?
16

What are you studying, or what did you study?
I am currently studying my A-levels in college ( Biology, PE, Spanish and the Welsh Baccalaureate)

What do you sail?
I am currently sailing an ILCA 6 as a part of the British youth squad and I have recently started sailing a WASZP 8.2 along side training with the Athena u21 squad.

Where do you sail?
My home club is Mumbles Yacht Club in south Wales however I seem to spend most of my time training out of WPNSA in Weymouth both in the WASZP and ILCA 6.

Who introduced you to sailing?

As a very nautical family It was a given that I would learn to sail at some point, I think we were going on family cruising trips before I could even walk!

For Christmas when I was 9 I remember receiving a bat optimist from my grandad with a bright pink and yellow sail ( it was very stylish). I absolutely loved sailing it even though I couldn’t even sail around a race course then.

Flo Tovey sailing a WASZP at the WASZP UK Nationals

image of Tracy Edwards

Do you have a role model/inspirational person that you follow? If so, why do you find them inspirational?

There are so many people that I have met in the sailing world that have inspired me and fuels my dreams in sailing!

One of the stand out people Is Tracy Edwards MBE who was skipper of the first all female crew to sail around the world in the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race. The boat won two legs and came second overall in her class.  She was a true pioneer for women’s sailing and is a true reminder that if you have a dream you can achieve it with enough belief and hard work. I was lucky enough to meet her and actually go sailing on the original ‘Maiden’ and it was amazing!

What would be your best advice or top tips for younger sailors or new sailors?

  • keep asking questions, no one has ever denied me advice, whether that’s about boat set up or racing questions don’t be afraid to ask.
  • Learn a skill (not just on the water, a few years ago I learned to splice and it has been such a useful skill. My new mission is nailing sail repairs)
Flo Tovey ILCA

Quickfire Questions

Tell us something about you that no one else knows

I am currently working towards my grade 8 flute.

What’s your superpower?

Making the most out of every training session.  But If I could have a super power it would be teleportation, less travel more time sailing!

What bit of sailing kit can you not live without? And why?

My pink laces on my sailing boots , not only can I tell my boats apart from others but it’s a known fact that some pink on your boat makes you sail faster!

What’s your ultimate dream?

My ultimate dream is to go to the Olympics for Great Britain but I would also love to break into the world of Sail GP and Americas cup!

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