Jaime Ryan (Elite Athlete Program Alumna; Current USYD Bachelor of Science student) has been selected to sail for Australia at the 2016 Rio Games, making her Olympic debut alongside Brother Will Ryan (USYD Bachelor of Commerce, 2012; current Master of Management student).
The Ryan’s are the sixth set of siblings selected to date.
“I think it’s the coolest thing that I get to be on tour with my brother. He’s been on the circuit for a few years more than me, and has been such a huge help in every part of my sailing over the years, there is no way I would be at this stage without him,” Ryan told the Australian Olympic Committee.
The pair grew up sailing together at Lake Macquarie and seeing Will selected in the Men’s 470 class motivated Jaime to chase her own Olympic dream in the Women’s division.
“I definitely had that extra drive to get my ticket to be on the plane next to Will. Partly because he is always the over achiever in the family, I have to do my best to keep up with him!” said Ryan.
21-year old Ryan will team up with Fremantle based, Carrie Smith, also 21 years old, in the Women’s 470 class. Ryan and Smith have switched from being fierce rivals in earlier years to good friends and close teammates in their quest for a podium finish in Rio.
They are the current 10th ranked pair in the world in the 470 class. Ryan and Smith are coached by Olympic sailing gold medallist Nathan Wilmot.
Will Ryan, previously selected for Rio, is partnering London gold medallist Mat Belcher.
Jaime and Will Ryan learned their craft on that fertile breeding ground for young sailors, Lake Macquarie, near Newcastle. The Lake was their backyard growing up and it comes as no surprise to hear they have two sisters who also sail competitively.
“They’re the reason I compete. The support I get when I’m travelling just makes it so much easier,” Jaime Ryan said.
“Will and I got food poisoning in Rio in August (2015) and to be stuck together with that… well that’s support.”
SUSF couldn’t be happier for Will and Jaime Ryan and congratulates them both on their selections in the Australian Sailing Team for Rio.