Morgan Peach & Rhos Hawes
Morgan Peach & Rhos Hawes have sights on 2020 Olympics
Two more sailors who we sponsor locally are Morgan Peach and Rhos Hawes who teamed up a couple of years ago and are now racing in 49ers with their sites firmly set on Tokyo 2020. The under 23 rowers have both just graduated from university and are now training full time with some big challenges on their way to Tokyo 2020.
Rhos Hawes Interview
When and where did you start sailing?
I started sailing at South Cerney Sailing Club, of which I am still a member, at the age of 8.
Why did you start sailing?
My Nan from Cornwall wondered if I would enjoy sailing. I have done it and loved it ever since!
Which club do you belong to?
South Cerney Sailing Club but train from Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and Torquay.
How long have you been at the current club?
I have been a member of South Cerney sailing club close to home since the very start.
Do you have a history of sailing in your family?
My Grandad had a topper (small dinghy) to use in Penzance that I now own and have only ever sailed once. I don’t think leisure cruises on it classed as much sailing experience but we all start somewhere!
What do you actually do? (tell me as if I’m from out of space and have no idea of the difference between a dinghy and a yacht)
I sail the 49er as part of the British Sailing Team with Morgan. It takes us all round the globe racing in World Championships, European Championships, U.23 Championships and the World Cup Series with the ultimate goal of an Olympic Gold Medal.
My role as a crew in the 49er is to make sure the boat is set up well and going fast on the racecourse. I do this by making the sails powerful and efficient by changing kicker, cunningham and mainsheet upwind and trimming the kite downwind. It’s also important to be part of the team and make sure Morgan has the time to look around the race course to make tactical decisions.
How many times a week do you train on the water?
We train on the water 5 days a week in the 49er and sail other boats in our spare time. We really do treat it as more than a full-time job.
And off the water?
The boat is not only challenging to sail well but is also very physical, so I am in the gym almost every day to supplement my training and ensure I’m the fittest I can be.
What are your ambitions, what are you trying to achieve, in 1 year, 5 years?
In the next year, I aiming to win the U.23 World Championships and in 5 years be on the right trajectory to medal at the Olympic games.
Who is your role model/s? in the sailing world, other?
I never really had a role model but people
What’s your favourite fish?
Sea Bass
Any mishaps or funny stories from sailing/ on the boat?
Plenty of stories from some epic wipe outs when the breeze is up! One of the most memorable would be a pitchpole causing the rudder to fly out and rip a hole through our mainsail.
Competition stats, info, what have you entered, won, achieved?
Winning the U.23 European Championships 2017 was the best achievement recently. I also medalled 3rd at the RYA Youth Nationals in 2012 whilst winning many other open events throughout the years.
Currently studying in what year and where?
I have just graduated from Plymouth University with a BSc in Biomedical Sciences.
What will you do next for study / work?
Currently, my aim is to put all focus into full time sailing and excelling at that. The better I get the more opportunities will arise from that.
Your sailing club website?
https://southcerneysailingclub.org.uk/
Who is your coach?
Nick Redding
What competitions and training are coming up over the next 4 months?
In the next 4 months, focus is on the World Championships in Aarhus, Denmark and the U.23 World Championships in Marseille, France. After that we will head into our next winter training block out in Portugal and the UK.
If someone wanted to see you training could they? Where/how?
Training will mainly happen from Weymouth in the harbour, especially with the European Championships based there for 2019. We also do the occasional training camp down in Torquay. All the racing we do can also be followed online on the 49er.org website.
How did you meet Mitch?
I met Mitch through Morgan. We met at the local Rockfish restaurant in Torquay and had a great catch up about sailing progress, sponsorship ideas as part of the partnership and heard stories about his yacht.
What does the sponsorship with us mean to you?
The sponsorship is crucial as not only does it give moral support knowing there is such a great team behind us but also allows us to perform at our optimum at competitions knowing that the kit we use is the best it can be and not restricting our outcome. This is so valuable when racing against Olympic medallists and World champions who are all using the best equipment they can.
What’s your motto?
Use your time and effort better than someone and you will soon pass them.
