Competing in the 8-day Optimist Sailing World Championship in Portorož, Slovenia, was one of the most intense and rewarding experiences of my sailing journey so far. The event brought together the best young sailors from around the world, and every day on the water was a new challenge that pushed me to grow—not just technically, but mentally and physically as well.
The first day of racing opened with light wind conditions, which made for a tricky start. I managed one really strong start that gave me a great position early in the race, but I also picked up a BFD (Black Flag Disqualification) in the second race of the day. That was frustrating, especially so early in the regatta, but it taught me an important lesson about balancing aggression with discipline on the start line. I knew I had to reset quickly and focus on consistency for the rest of the event.
The middle two days of the regatta were dedicated to team racing, which brought a completely different kind of pressure and excitement. Representing my country alongside my teammates was a huge honour, and the energy on those days was electric. We faced off against Hong Kong and Portugal in two incredibly close matches. Both races came down to the final legs, and we had to fight for every position. In the end, we managed to beat both teams in nail-biting finishes. The teamwork, communication, and strategy involved in those races made them some of the most memorable moments of the entire championship. It was a reminder that sailing, while often an individual sport, can be incredibly powerful when done as a team. To start the final day of team racing, we faced off against Argentenia and in a nail-biting finish we managed to slip past them winning ourselves the match. In the next two races, against Brazil and the USA, we unfortunately made a couple mistakes costing us the race and we unfortunately ended up exiting in a knock round against eventual third place winners, USA. Overall, it was a great experience and the team had a fun time competing against the best sailors from 51 different countries. In the end, Team Australia placed in the top 12 teams, an incredible result and one that we were all incredibly proud of.
The final three days were the championship finals, and they were the most intense of all. I managed to get three strong starts, which gave me a solid foundation in each race. I felt more confident and composed on the line, and that helped me stay in control even when the fleet was tight. One of the biggest improvements I noticed was in my use of upper body movement. I became more efficient and deliberate with how I used my weight to balance the boat and respond to shifts and gusts. That physical awareness made a real difference, especially in the more demanding conditions we faced during the finals.
Looking back, this championship was a huge learning experience. I faced setbacks, like the BFD, but I also had moments of real progress and success. I learned how to stay mentally strong, how to work as part of a team under pressure, and how small technical improvements can have a big impact. Most of all, I came away with a deeper appreciation for the sport and a stronger drive to keep improving. Portorož challenged me in every way—and I loved it.
