Sailingfast Team Riders

Holly Norton

What is your age?
15 years old

What are you studying, or what did you study?

I am still at school and in year 10 my first year of the GCSE course.

What do you sail?

I sail toppers and a bit of 29ers.

Where do you sail?

I sail at Parkstone Yacht Club in Poole.

Who introduced you to sailing?

My mum when I was around 8 months old. We sailed Poole AB’s in CAP (child and parent) for a couple of years and then I moved up the fleet into AB gold, then topper 4.2 and I am currently sailing in a topper 5.3 as well as a bit of 29ers.

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

Hannah Mills is my inspiration. I met her at Parkstone Youth Week a couple of years ago and she really stood out to me as she is a two time world champion in the women’s 470 class ( which I was really impressed by).

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

    I would say to make sure that you have lots of fun with your friends, keep working hard on sailing and try all sorts of boats even if they are outside your comfort zone. You might really enjoy that type of sailing and it doesn’t matter if you sail single handed, double handed or with a whole crew. As long as you are enjoying it.

Quickfire Questions

Tell us something about you that no one else knows

I used to play rugby in a mixed and all girls team as scrum half (number 9) for a few years.

What’s your superpower?

Downwind legs on races. It’s where I normally gain the most places if I’m not doing the best in a race, especially if there are waves that I can surf.

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

I love both my race watch and Rooster hikers. The hikers are so comfortable and help in the heavier breezes.

What’s your ultimate dream?

    To go to the Olympics and win a gold medal

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