Charlotte Webster is back home enjoying family and friends after achieving her dream of competing at the Olympics earlier this month.
Webster, 20, a flagbearer at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, where she sailed in the Mediterranean Sea to an overall placement of 41, told the Compass she is setting her sights on a new journey.
“I think it’s important to just relax. I haven’t had a vacation in like three years, so this is my week of vacation,” Webster said, although she noted that her visit back home has been filled with celebrations of her friends’ birthdays.
She said once her ‘mini vacation’ ends, she will turn her attention back to sailing at the University of Exeter, though not competitively.
“I need to focus on university this year and get my degree; that is my goal and after that, there are a lot of opportunities that I can see myself doing,” Webster said.
In addition to concentrating on her studies in environmental science, Webster, who is set to become the president of the university’s sailing society, said she is looking to giving back to all the freshmen athletes.
“I have to focus on building up sailing in my university and I think it’s really rewarding to teach new people to sail, to instruct, to coach [and] give advice.”
She also wants to see more development programmes in Cayman to steer kids in the right direction and she is willing to help with that.
High price tag
“It would be really great to see some kind of structure or pathway, and I am more than happy to put that together because [I did not take] … the most conventional pathway,” she said, but noted that lack of funding may slow development.
“There needs to be more funding for a kids’ development programme and there needs to be more support for athletes once they surpass the development programme,” Webster said, adding that didn’t mean there was no money for the sport, just that it was difficult to obtain funding.
Sailing is ranked among the most expensive sports in the world, along with Formula 1 racing and equestrian sports.
“It’s not just me in a boat and flight tickets; it’s accommodations, coaching, coach boat rentals, transport, everything; put it all together, it’s a big price tag,” Webster said.
She admitted that it is a long process to become an elite sailor but said dedication through tough periods could see many succeed.
“Just stay true to yourself,” she said.
“Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do it, don’t let anyone tell you you are not good enough and, if they do, use that as energy to refocus,” Webster said, noting however, that the athlete must go out “and do it and then the funding follows; it’s never the other way around”.
While the cost may be a barrier to many talented hopefuls, Webster said one advantage for sailors is easy access to the ocean.
“Sailing in Cayman – there’s a lot that I see happening that we didn’t have four years ago. I think we have a medal contender, we’ve got kids that have the water as their back door and they can go out, and they can sail.
“More than ever, right now sailing is the sport to get into, the resources that we’ve got, we have a new club now.”
As for competing again, Webster is keeping her options open, noting that the 2028 Olympics is not off the table but she may try her hand in different sailing classes outside of dinghy.
Related Videos
