Ben Hinks - Sailing

I grew up in Adelaide near the beach and started sailing at the age of 5 through my dad’s interest in the sport. Starting off travelling around the state to the many clubs along the coast this was a great opportunity to learn and make friends that made the sport more enjoyable. The progression into travelling interstate gave me opportunities to qualify to represent Australia overseas which was a long-term goal when first starting. Winning a National Championship, competing at the Youth Sailing World Championship and placing 4^th at the Oceania Olympic Qualifier Event have been highlights of my Sailing so far. I am now racing in the 470 Mixed Dinghy which is a new event being introduced to the Olympics in 2024.

The skills I’ve learnt in sailing include problem solving and decision making. These skills have helped me to do well in other areas of my life, including work and study. What I enjoy most about the sport of sailing is the forever changing racetrack. With changing wind, waves, course lengths and other boats, every race is going to play out somewhat differently.

Questions

The best thing about being a SASI Athlete:

Having access to great support and being able to meet and work with athletes from other sports.

My favourite food to fuel me as an Athlete:

Weetbix.

My favourite movie:

Top Gun Maverick.

My favourite colours:

Orange and navy blue.

My sporting hero and why:

Matthew Belcher – as he is a sailing legend and has been a great role model for the sport and Australian athletes.

My favourite possession:

My boat, bike or windsurfer.

The sporting activity I most like performing:

A reach with the kite (quickest angle you can sail on a boat).

If I wasn’t doing my current sport I would like to be:

A cyclist, as this is one of the sports I enjoy in my spare time.

The most important things in life:

Have fun and be passionate about what you do.

My ambassador activity tip:

Find an activity you enjoy and make some friends so you can stay active together.

My favourite way to keep active:

Going sailing, windsurfing, cycling or hiking just to name a few.

The sport I like watching the most:

Sailing or Test cricket.

What sporting success looks like:

Consistent results, enjoying the sport and good sportsmanship.