SailJuice: How did you get into sailing in the first place?

Sarah: I got in through high school, we did GLITCH racing, and I went to an all girls' school and we got to compete against the guys. My brothers went to the school across the road, and they were into sailing, so from there it was just a natural progression. It was GLITCH[0:38]. I won the Youth World's in '98 in South Africa, crewing a 420 with Lisa Chilson.

[0:50] SailJuice: Was that what you expected, were you getting in there with expectations of winning gold?

Sarah: I definitely wanted gold. We trained incredibly hard, we had Adrian GLITCH [1:05], he coached us for three years, and he has a great record. He was great with us, he really cut down the nitty-gritties and broke down all the parts of sailing a boat, and this made it enjoyable for us. We put a lot of hours and effort into that, so yeah it was good to come back from in the end.

[1:34] SailJuice: The obvious next step was the Olympic thing.

Sarah: Yeah, that was straight after South Africa, we met up with all the guys doing the '99 World's in Melbourne, and GLITCH [1:46], we sat out on his boat just to watch the 470, and then in '99, we GLITCH 470, and did the European circuit there and gave it a go. It was always going to be hard, everyone was going into their leading year, they were peaking at the right times. We had gained a lot of experience, and that was with Lisa as well. We didn't the make the Olympics; the two people who did won the gold. Lisa then decided to go and do some studies, and I wanted to complete my studies as well, and in the end I ended up working for GLITCH[2:29] as his PA for the 2000 Olympics. I was doing sport and events management in university, and I loved the sailing and always wanted to work in it. It was the right place at the right time you could say.

[2:44] SailJuice: You were still at the Olympics!

Sarah: Still at the Olympics, just in a slightly different position.

SailJuice: And then what? You got into big boat stuff?

Sarah: Yeah I did a little bit of big boat stuff, I did the Hamilton Island Race Week GLITCH[3:00] and then I suppose I got more into the GLITCH sailing and I think three or four of the World Championships, we came second in GLITCH [3:14] ItchyBarn, whenever it was a new port I'd lose track of all the GLITCH. In Sidney I sailed a GLITCH for that one, and didn't too well there. I've also done a bit of match racing with GLITCH [3:34] but then it got to a point where I wanted to use what I studied at university in terms of money. I did sports and event management at university and I always wanted to stay in the marine industry.

[3:52] SailJuice: So you haven't got any thoughts of getting into the match racing now that there's a women's option?

Sarah: I just realised there's a lot of time and effort that goes into the campaign, and not a lot of money either unless you've got the sponsorship behind you. So it's always a difficult jungle, it's great to still be amongst the sport in a professional sense. I do miss my sailing but now I actually have to sail GLITCH[4:21] so that's sort of substituting. Getting into the match racing for the Olympics: if I got asked, I'd say yes probably, but at the moment I'm really enjoying what I'm doing.

[4:37] SailJuice: Is GLITCH going to be doing it?

Sarah: I understand she's training at the moment.

SailJuice: She hasn't popped up on the circuit lately.

Sarah: Not at this stage. Look, I don't know the full details.

[4:50] SailJuice: If she gave you a call, you might think about it?

Sarah: You're trying to GLITCH for something here aren't you? I'm not gonna give you anything! Probably, yes I would. Yes would be the obvious answer, but it just depends. I'm really enjoying what I'm doing, earning some money, and being next to all of the elites of the sport.

[5:18] SailJuice: So what's your job now?

Sarah: I look after the logistics for Artemis, so that stands from GLITCH, so sailing in the GLITCH round. Looking after the logistics for the IRC boat, which is the old Artemis from last year.

[5:41] SailJuice: So who's your employer?

Sarah: I work for Torbjorn Tornqvist.

[5:48] SailJuice: How was that connection made?

Sarah: It was through GLITCH, the project manager.

SailJuice: He put you forward as someone who would be good at it.

Sarah: Yeah, basically I was put forward to him, and we met and it all started gelling.

[6:12] SailJuice: When did you start the job?

Sarah: I started it March last year. I think it's great, it's completely different to being out on the boats all the time, you could say you're a 'Team Mum' every now and then. You do the odd pieces, you do the laundry, you do the waters, you make sure they're fed.

SailJuice: What's it like being a woman in a man's world?

Sarah: It's fine, it's all about gaining their respect and in the end they're a great group of guys to work for. Everyone's really good, we've got a great team, and it's always hard, but you've got your boundaries and that's where it is.

[7:08] SailJuice: Do you remind them that you're a youth world champion?

Sarah: No, it was ten years ago, so I don't think that goes to my credit at all!

SailJuice: And how often do you sail on Artemis?

Sarah: It just depends, I actually replace Torby when he's not there. He's obviously got a very busy schedule with the 52 and the 44. Most of the time it's when I do the training sessions, and the match racing when he doesn't turn up.

[7:39] SailJuice: Do you steer the boat?

Sarah: I had a chance at steering it when we first launched it, and yeah I got to steer the boat in a fleet race which was fantastic.

SailJuice: So how did you go?

Sarah: Errr, we had our moments. We'd only just launched the boat, so it was a flukey regatta, I think we finished third or fourth in the end. It was a great regatta. They're really good boats to sail, and it's a great concept.

[8:19] SailJuice: Yeah, I was really impressed when I saw it in Lanzarote. That would be where I'd go if I had that sort of job. It seems good value for money.

Sarah: Yeah, it definitely is. It's got a really good class and great sponsors, and it's just enjoyable.

[8:37] SailJuice: In your career, what would you say was your highpoint, or best day?

Sarah: One of the best days was when we launched the boat in New Zealand, and I actually got to go sailing out on a [9:07] GLITCH. That would definitely be one of my best days, I got experience of what it was like on the 52.

[9:16] SailJuice: When was that?

Sarah: That was in February this year.

SailJuice: And was that because it was a combination of a lot of work to get to that point?

Sarah: The guys had been working really really hard in the yard to get the boat done on time. You know, that's not my area or anything. I never got to go on the boat last year, and having seen it all year, and then finally being able to jump onboard with the guys afterwards, and be out there and see what it's like out with them. It was a new team we formed, so yeah it was good to do that. It's so hard because you go to so many amazing places, we get so spoilt that after a while each event merges into one. So picking a high point is a difficult one.

[10:10] SailJuice: It's just one long party?

Sarah: I wouldn't call it a party! I'd like to say it's a party, but no.

SailJuice: What's been your worst day, or your worst moment?

Sarah: I don't dwell on that sort of stuff, because if you do, your days don't get filled. You don't end up achieving what you want to achieve, so you try and put that stuff behind you. I'll have to come back to you on that one.

[12:04] SailJuice: Another difficult question, and people answer this in many different ways, so whatever you're comfortable with. What sort of money can you expect to earn doing this type of job?

Sarah: That's a really tricky one.

SailJuice: Are you earning better money than you could expect to doing the sort of typical job that you might've been doing after leaving university?

Sarah: I think for me, it's sort of a lifestyle choice, having my partner on the circuit, so it's not necessarily about the money. I'm fortunate that my fiancé is on the circuit so that's definitely got a bit of a push to being on the circuit, so I would say money isn't everything. I've got this great group of guys I work for, really enjoying working for Torby, GLITCH[13:05] is a great project manager. I'd say it's not money for me, it's more about the lifestyle.

[13:16] SailJuice: For someone who was interested in getting into the sort of thing you're doing, what advice would you have?

Sarah: Sailing is such a clicky sport. It's who you know, and also making yourself available. You may not be paid at first, and you should be willing to do it - basically anything. You have to start from the bottom and keep at it. It IS who you know, it's really hard. Some teams don't need someone like you, because people take on the different roles.

[14:21] SailJuice: What's it like being so close to the sailing? Being a great sailor yourself, but actually having to be the laundry man.

Sarah: Oh don't call me the laundry man! The ice girl, the water girl, the food girl... It kills me, I'm actually looking forward to a practice day when it's really windy. I'm holding out for one of those days and hopefully I can get out on one of the practice boats. When it's a really light and flukey day, that's fine, I can do what I want, I'd much rathre catch up on my emails and do the things I have to do. But when it looks like it's going to be a blowing, beautiful sea breeze I'd love to be out. I prefer to get a bit of a thrill.

[15:12] SailJuice: What do you love most about the job?

Sarah: I would say, travelling to some of the most amazing places, the people that you meet on the way, they end up becoming your family on the road. Being able to work on a similar circuit with my fiancé as well, because it's tough being in the industry.

[15:43] SailJuice: GLITCH John Gundersson, otherwise known as Gundy, and just give me a GLITCH history of what he's done. He's done a Volvo race hasn't he?

Sarah: He's done a Volvo, and he's been on the 52s, he sailed with Mean Machine ??? for quite a few years. We met in Australia a couple of years ago during the 540s. It's one of those sailing relationships.

[16:09] SailJuice: Well that's what works isn't it! There's a lot of people that don't see a lot of eachother on these boats, so that bit you've got sorted out.

Sarah: I'd say Torby's a great guy to work for too, him and the team are really driven, so he's just a great guy and he's got a couple of campaigns going for him at the moment.

[16:43] SailJuice: What do you hate most about the job?

Sarah: It's just the boys whingeing sometimes at the little things. Like getting life out of perspective at times.

SailJuice: How old are you?

Sarah: 28.