Molly Meech started her life on the water so it's no surprise that's where her career has taken her as well. As part of the Behind the Name feature, we get to know the Bay of Plenty's talented athletes representing New Zealand internationally. Today, we find out more about 26-year-old New Zealand sailor Molly Meech, who combined with Alex Maloney, won silver in the 49erFX at the 2016 Rio Olympics - their first Olympics. She is part of the NZL Sailing Team, made up of the best Olympic class sailors in the country, but what would she be doing if she wasn't an athlete?
What is the first memory you have of sailing and how has that impacted your life?
My first memory of sailing would be back when my family lived on our boat, which was home for the first 10 years of my life. I think it led to me eventually following my brother Sam into sailing as a sport and now a career.
How did you get into sailing and what has kept you involved in the sport?
Really my brother Sam got into the sport first, but I followed him into it. When I first started, I was more of a social sailor, and enjoyed spending time with my friends out on the water. It led to me loving sailing and then the competitive side of the sport kicked in.
What is your sporting highlight to date and why?
My sporting highlight would have to be finishing second at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Alex (Maloney) and I had worked really hard in the five or six years leading up to it, and for it all to come together at the Games was so special. On top of that, Sam getting bronze in the Laser at the same Games was really amazing.