Katie Archer - a madforsailing profile

Do you like school?
I'm not there any more, I'm in my GAP year and am off to Southampton University to study medicine next year.

What’s your best subject?
Maths.

What other sports do you do outside sailing?
I play a lot of squash, and any other sport that friends drag me into! I also windsurf.

Any other hobbies or interests?
Not really, I tend not to get much time with sailing and all the other sports.

What inspired you to take up sailing?
My dad took me out in his Wayfarer which petrified me, but I stuck at it and now love it.

Which sailing club do you belong to?
Felixstowe Ferry and Waldringfield Sailing Clubs.

Which class did you first race in?
Wayfarer, with my dad.

Have you ever used a coach?
Yes, I am coached at Youth Squad training weekends and at most big championships where coaches are allowed.

What’s your most memorable moment in sailing?
Winning the Radial Youth Worlds on my 18th birthday with two days to spare! (I was the only girl to make it into the gold fleet).

What’s your biggest goal in sailing?
At the moment, my biggest goal is to win a medal at the ISAF Youth Worlds in Sydney at Christmas, but ultimately it's to win an Olympic Medal.

How much time do you spend on the water each week?
As much as I can. Every weekend and as many times during the week as the weather permits.

Do you have a sponsor, and if so, who?
Yes - Purple Sails and Marine.

Who are your sailing heroes and why?
Jim Hunt, because he's won so many different National and World titles in different boats, and all the Olympic Sailors for doing so well at the Games.

What is the best excuse you’ve ever made for a poor performance in a race?
I caught a funny wave and rolled out of the boat!

What is the best excuse you’ve ever heard for a poor performance in a race, and from who?
'I couldn't see the next mark so I had to go in, it was very windy!'

What’s your favourite sailing venue?
Anywhere where it is hot with big waves.

Who’s the best sailor in the world?
You can't really say who the best sailors are, because everyone at the top is extremely good at what they do.

====================================================

If you're reading this and you think madforsailing should be profiling someone you know ...

madforsailing want to profile all the top sailors - but we may be struggling to find some of them! If you'd like to tell us about someone you know, just click here and send us an email address or a phone number.