Crystal Sun – World Sailing Title!

Recent Old Collegian, Crystal Sun proved herself to be a strong sailor during her College years. In September 2017, during her final year at school, she and her sailing partner, Olivia Hobbs from St Cuthbert’s, won the 2017 NZL Youth Trials. This win led them to selection for the New Zealand Sailing Foundation Youth Team, qualifying them to compete in the women's skiff class (29er) at the Youth World Championships in Sanya, China in December. They had both been sailing the 29er since 2015 and partnered up in 2016. 

The lead up to December was a busy period for Crystal as she completed her school work towards gaining an International Baccalaureate Diploma, while training 4-5 times a week in readiness for the event. As well as training, they also attended youth clinics and other regattas. After Sanya,  they travelled onto Hong Kong in January to compete in 2018 29er Open World Championships. Racing in the same Gold Fleet as the men, they faced some tough sailing conditions with two days racing lost to gusty conditions. With racing complete, they won the Women’s 29er Open World title!

Crystal now plans to go on and study physics and geophysics at The University of Auckland, starting in Semester 2. As she and her partner no longer qualify as youth sailors, they have moved into the 49er fx which is the Olympic level women's skiff. Their next major event will be the 2019 World Championships, which will be held in New Zealand at the end of next year, but for now they are spending 4-5 days a week on the water, working on the transition from 29er to 49er fx with a long-term goal to hopefully  qualify for the 2024 Olympic games in France!