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Two ÁñÁ«ÉçÇø alumni - Rhiannan Brown and Lachlan Bayliss - represented their country at the highest level during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. We caught up with Rhiannan after her Olympic debut to discuss her remarkable journey, the obstacles she overcame, and her experiences competing on the world stage.

Can you describe the moment when you found out you would be competing at the Olympics?

When I got the call, I was in absolute shock. It was a surreal moment where everything just clicked. All the hours I had put into my Olympic campaign—the literal blood, sweat, and tears—were suddenly worth it. The relief and joy I felt in that moment are almost impossible to put into words.

What was the most memorable moment for you during the Olympics, both in and out of the water?

Off the water, it was unlike any normal competition. There were so many rules and regulations we had to follow. Security was tight, with checkpoints at the marina and the hotel, and every time we finished a day of racing, we had to go through a media zone for interviews.

On the water, it was incredible! Hearing our families cheering from the break wall as we headed out to the course was one of the most heartwarming experiences. I felt like I had made them proud!

How did you prepare mentally for the challenges of competing against the world’s best athletes?

My teammate and I knew that working with a sports performance psychologist would be crucial to getting the most out of this experience. We had never planned to campaign for Paris 2024; our original goal was always LA 2028!

With the psychologist, we focused on how to perform under stress, learning techniques to manage pressure so we could sail at our best. We went in with no expectations, simply aiming to learn and gain experience for LA 2028.

What lessons did you learn from your Olympic experience that you will carry with you moving forward?

As a team, we learned countless lessons, but on a personal level, I discovered the importance of switching off after racing. In sailing, competitions last for a week, and if you stay stressed and mentally "on" the whole time, you’ll burn out and miss out on enjoying the experience.

At the Games, my roommate and I made a point of not talking about our sailing day unless necessary. We played foosball, watched movies, played cards—anything to make sure our energy was recharged. At the end of the day, you perform better when you're happy and recovered!

What advice would you give to current students who aspire to reach the same level in sports or any other field?

I would tell students to:

• Believe in yourself, even if others doubt you.
• Be willing to give 100% and push past any obstacle that comes your way.
• Forgive yourself and don’t put too much pressure on your performances. Understand that you won’t be perfect every time, but if you learn from each mistake, you’ll progress much faster than those who aren’t willing to make mistakes and learn from them.

How do you stay connected to your passion for sailing, and what are your future goals within or outside the sport?

It took me a while to separate sailing from my parents’ influence and find my own drive. For me, making friends within the sport and setting achievable goals where I can track my progress has kept my passion alive. I love seeing improvements in my performance, and that motivates me to keep pushing myself to get better and better.