An Ipswich student has secured her place in the world sailing championships after being named the international teenage champion last year. 

Audrey Foley, a Year 13 student from Royal Hospital School in Holbrook, competed in the ILCA U21 World Championships in Morocco last month. 

Audrey has been waiting to compete at this event for several years, as competitors must be between 17 and 20 years old.  

This was Audrey's first year of eligibility, and she secured a remarkable 10th place overall. 

READ MORE: Audrey Foley became an international sailing champion after competing against more than 230 sailors from nine countries

Ipswich Star: Audrey Foley, a Year 13 student from Royal Hospital School in Holbrook, competed in the ILCA U21 World Championships in Morocco last month, RHSAudrey Foley, a Year 13 student from Royal Hospital School in Holbrook, competed in the ILCA U21 World Championships in Morocco last month, RHS (Image: RHS)

The competition took place over six days, with 12 races scheduled, but due to extremely strong winds, the sailors were only able to complete 11.  

Throughout the event, there were a variety of different wind speeds and directions, but stronger winds were most common, with only one day being on the lighter side.    

Audrey said: “It was a great experience to sail in a fleet with a new level of intensity that sits between the youth and women's fleets.  

“I was extremely pleased with how the event went and look forward to competing again this year just after speech day.” 

READ MORE: 'Exceptional' young sailors from Ipswich celebrate winning the national championship

Ipswich Star: Earlier this year, Audrey, together with Sophia Dias, Grace Coleman Reaston-Brown, Georgie Stammers, Millie Lewis, and Nicole Stovell won the U19 Women's Team Racing National Championship, RHSEarlier this year, Audrey, together with Sophia Dias, Grace Coleman Reaston-Brown, Georgie Stammers, Millie Lewis, and Nicole Stovell won the U19 Women's Team Racing National Championship, RHS (Image: RHS)

Audrey also praised her teachers and the sailing department at RHS, who ensure she has all the resources to stay on top of her schoolwork and that sailing does not interfere with her studies.  

The RHS student said that this often includes getting ahead on work before she leaves or meeting with her teachers before and after competitions to go over difficult material. 

Audrey joined RHS in Year 12 as a full-boarder from Florida, USA, and was the ILCA 6 class USA Female Champion in 2022 and 2023.   

Ipswich Star: Audrey Foley, a Year 13 student from Royal Hospital School in Holbrook, competed in the ILCA U21 World Championships in Morocco last month, RHSAudrey Foley, a Year 13 student from Royal Hospital School in Holbrook, competed in the ILCA U21 World Championships in Morocco last month, RHS (Image: RHS)

This year has proven to be quite a triumph for Audrey at RHS, where she earned numerous sailing accolades, excelling not only with the Royal Hospital Sailing Team but also making waves in the USA 2023 ILCA 6 Singlehanded Sailing competitions.