Nicholas Hardy '20 Named to US Sailing Worlds Team

When Nicholas was a 7^th grader at Rivers, he began sailing more competitively. Nicholas began sailing on an Opti, or single-person dinghy. Now in 10th grade, Nicholas sails on a 29er, a two-person performance sailing skiff, with his partner Charlie, a senior at Milton Academy. Nicholas spends most weekends training on the water in Newport, RI during the warmer months when he’s not competing and in Miami when it’s too cold in New England. When he is not on the water, Nicholas utilizes the state of the art fitness center at Rivers to help build strength and agility.

Prior to being named to the US Worlds team, Nicholas and Charlie had to compete in two qualifier championships. The first qualifier was held in Houston, TX where they placed 2nd overall. The second qualifying championship was held in Miami where they also placed 2^nd overall. Due to their placement, they felt very positive about being named to the US Worlds Team.

 

Nicholas’s passion for sailing is obvious when he talks about the sport.

 

“It’s the freedom of being on the water and hearing the wind in my ears and the wind on the back of my neck,” commented Nicholas. “It’s also being able to experience all of these places; I’d never thought I’d go to Hong Kong with the US team. Although this year the championship is in Texas, last year it was in China and next year I believe it is in Poland. It has given me so many opportunities to travel. The community itself is also really welcoming; I’ve met some of my best friends from sailing. Being on the water is something that calms me; even if it’s a stressful situation I’ve learned that I need to be in the moment and appreciate what’s going on. Take one thing at a time and know what I can do. It’s taught me a lot psychologically for how to prepare for stressful events. ”

 

After the school year ends, Nicholas will head back to Texas to begin preparing for the World Championships happening in Corpus Christi, TX from July 14-21.