“When I started secondary school, I wasn’t the best behaved, I was a bit naughty. Sailing has made me mature really quickly. If I wasn’t doing sailing I don’t know what I would be doing.”
Felipe started sailing in year 10 (aged 14) and like many students he found that sailing offered a journey of personal development that challenged him physically, mentally and organisationally.
“I was nervous at first and didn’t enjoy the four-hour minibus ride to get there, but once I got out on the water, it was really fun. It was windy, so a bit scary, but that’s the element that I thrive in now.”
He is one of GCA’s most committed sailors – training through the winter and competing at every opportunity in both ILCA and Etchells fleets during the racing season. As bowman on the foredeck of the Etchells he has gained a reputation for his strength, agility, preparedness and communication.
Team ‘Palaver’ won the Champion on Champions at the end of the 2025 season having been in the winning teams in the Etchells Southern Area Championships & Etchells Bedrock series. His talent was spotted and tested onboard a high performance ‘Cape 31’ that he was invited to experience. He was thrilled to fly the kite alongside a crew which included 2 Olympians & professional sailors.
He regularly trains and races in the ILCA class, entering the ILCA National Open in Weymouth in an ILCA 7. A tough but useful learning experience.
“My sailing goals for 2026 are progressing up the ILCA7 fleet. Training hard over the winter with the squad in the Etchells Youth Academy, so we can push ‘Palaver’ even harder next spring. I love the variety that the programme offers and if given the opportunity to go foiling – I’m totally there! I’ll do all I can to showcase my abilities on the bow and hope this might lead to opportunities to train and compete on bigger (faster!) boats.”
Corneille, Felipe, Zhayne, and ex GCA student Jessye, became one of the Etchells class success stories – winning the Etchells International Series in 2025.
What they share is a passion for sailing. A drive to win. The thrill of speed. A determination to work hard and pull together.
