Sailing whiz up for award

A Port Kennedy woman has been nominated for a WA young leadership award after spending more than 160 days sailing in the past three years.

Since participating in a voyage with theSTS Leeuwin II three years ago, 23-year-old Rachel Norrie has not been able to get enough of sailing.

She joined the Leeuwin Red Shirt volunteer crew and has become a crucial part of the organisation’s youth development and day programs.

“I did one voyage and just loved it so much that I never left,” she said.

“It’s a little bit of everything for me — I love being on the water and the technical side of it is great, learning about the sails, rigging, and even the maintenance is really interesting.

In 2016, Ms Norrie received a Woodside Leeuwin Cadetship Scholarship, which enabled her to study for several marine qualifications, as well as the needed sea time to begin a professional career.

“I think I’ve always had a fascination with water and sailing,” Ms Norrie said.

“The stars and sunrises are brilliant, but it’s also a lot of hard work.”

After completing her studies, Ms Norrie hopes to gain further experience and sail around Europe or the Antarctic.

The WA Young Achiever Awards will be announced on Friday, May 12 at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Perth.