Jaime (Fr 2013) is selected to compete in the women’s 49erFX class in Tokyo with crewmate Tess Lloyd. In Rio 2016, Jaime placed 15th overall in the women’s 470 event with sailing partner Carrie Smith. Jaime is from Lake Macquarie in NSW and currently sails at Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club. We caught up with Jaime recently to discover how she’s feeling about the forthcoming Olympics.
How did you feel when you received the call up for the Tokyo Olympics team?
It was probably relief initially, after such a long, tight selection process against the other Aussie girls, to know that we had finally made it! The excitement came a little later, when I shared the news with family and friends, and it really started to sink in.
How do you think Tokyo will compare to the Rio 2016?
Covid aside, Tokyo was already going to be a totally different experience to the Rio games, just by nature of the different cultures of each country. Now, we know that the Tokyo Games is going to be very unique, with a lot more restrictions and a lot less of the bigger Games excitement going on around us. There’s been a huge amount of work to create a safe Games for the athletes and everyone involved, including the Japanese people. Fortunately, sailing isn’t the biggest spectator sport to begin with, and once we get on out on the water we will be operating as usual!
What first attracted you to sailing?
I grew up around the water on Lake Macquarie, and spent lots of time on boats with my family. My older brother started sailing first, and after spending enough time hanging around at the yacht clubs for him I guess I decided to join! I think the independence that sailing offers you as a child is pretty unique to other sports, from a young age you are in charge of this little boat all by yourself, and can be out racing for hours at a time. It was just a lot of fun, and the communities and friendships that formed around the time on the water has been a big part of it too.
What does it mean to you that your brother is also part of the Australian team?
It’s really special to be able to share the Olympic experience with my brother. He has been a really key mentor for me in my sailing always, and I think having a sibling around as a bit of normalcy in some often high-pressure situations can be a real bonus. We have definitely been able to share the highs and lows of elite sport together over the years!
How did your time at St Andrew’s College help your sporting career?
St Andrews was such a unique environment in the level ambition and achievement shared among the cohort. Students were so passionate, and so supportive of each other, the collective drive and energy was something really special. The college really supported my dual pursuit of study and sport, and I think that balance is something that has been really key in helping me to continue competing for longer, and pursuing my goals in both.
What’s your most memorable moment from St Andrew’s?
I will never forget the first formal dinner in which the Haggis was passed around!
What sports did you play at St Andrew’s?
Unfortunately sailing is such a time-consuming sport, and we often spent large chunks of time away competing so I was never able to commit to a sports team during my time at college, but I definitely enjoyed getting down to the fields or the courts to support whenever I was able to be around! The competitive spirit I witnessed at some of the Rosebowl and Rawson competitions could match that of the Olympic finals I think!
Photo credit: Beau Outteridge / Australian Sailing Team