Olympic Yachting (21 years old) | SPONSORED BY AUT MILLENNIUM
Gemma was a Bellingham Wallace AIMES Emerging Talent recipient in 2014 and is a former pupil of Rangitoto College.
Gemma campaigns in the new Olympic Yachting Class mixed gender Catamaran sailing against some of the world’s best sailors including Olympic medallists and America’s Cup sailors.
Since winning her Emerging Talent Award, Gemma has gone on to qualify New Zealand for a place at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the Nacra 17 class through her top 5 placing finish (from a fleet of 80) at the 2014 World Championships with team mate Jason Saunders.
Recently, they finished in fourth place at the 2015 World Championships in Denmark; an impressive finish considering Gemma sustained an ankle injury four weeks before competing and only commenced sailing again one week before the first race.
Their consistently strong competition placings puts them as one of the fastest teams in the world across all conditions and in strong winds they have a particularly impressive edge on competitors.
Gemma currently spends much of her time in Europe where they compete in as many regattas as possible gaining vital race experience as one of the youngest teams.
Academically, Gemma is working towards a Bachelor of Commerce through Auckland University doing a conjoint of Economics and Marketing. Due to her time commitments to the 2016 Rio campaign Gemma has put her studies on hold and plans to restart in 2017.
Other awards to date for Gemma include Auckland University Sports Woman of the Year and the Yachting New Zealand 2015 Murrays Bay Sailing Club Achievement Award.
