“Sailing is in my DNA. My Dad competed at World Championships, and my parents met when racing against each other.
(CMR) Caymanian sailor Charlotte Webster, 20, will be representing the Cayman Islands at the Paris Olympics as the island's top-ranked female sailor. When she competes at the June Olympics, she will join an elite field of only two other female sailors.
Webster has been sailing since she was just five years old and has worked tirelessly to achieve her goals. Her impressive track record includes winning the 2020 CI “Laser Open” as the 1st Girl, securing 3rd Place at the 2018 Opti Regatta in the Bahamas, representing the Cayman Islands at the 2017 North American Championships in Toronto, and earning first place twice at the East End Regatta.
Charlotte's victories reflect not only her personal achievements but also her family's long-standing connection to the sea. Interestingly, a “Webster” ship was torpedoed off Grand Cayman in 1942 during WWII, carrying 100 tons of bananas. This heritage seems to have imbued Charlotte with a natural affinity for the ocean.
As Charlotte prepares for the final push, she will undergo six weeks of intense training and competition in Marseille and Portugal ahead of the Paris 2024 Regatta. Charlotte is the third female sailor from the Cayman Islands to compete in the Olympics, following in the footsteps of Tomeaka McTaggart (2002) and Florence Allan (2016). Her efforts have garnered support and encouragement from the Governor of the Cayman Islands, who recently acknowledged her accomplishments on her social media channels.
Charlotte Webster, aiming for Olympic gold, serves as a role model for young sailors in the Cayman Islands and beyond. Her journey highlights the importance of hard work, dedication, and determination in achieving success.