Krystal Weir - Yngling - Women's Keelboat - Helm

Date of Birth: 15/01/1985

Yacht Club: Sandringham Yacht Club

Boats Sailed: Sabot, Flying 11, Sabre, Laser Radial

Krystal began her sailing at Elwood Sailing Club, renowned for its surf, for which she remains grateful, the Brighton resident thought all beaches were the same. “I went to Brighton to sail one day and thought “where’s the surf? This is too easy!

At 13, the schoolgirl was forced to make a decision. To choose between attending State trials for a hockey team or sailing – the latter won.

Krystal was chosen to represent at the 2003 Youth Worlds, finishing second in the Radial. Backing up with a win in the 2004 Radial Women’s Worlds – she was on her way. The Europe was the single-handed class for Athens, so Krystal switched, posting some good results. But then came the announcement of the Radial for 2008, so back she came.

Top of her highlights is winning the 2004 Radial Worlds. “Not so much winning, more because it was in Australia; my parents and supporters were there – it was their pride. It was very important for me and a good stepping stone - it was the first time I’d cracked First Place… I was sick of coming second.” Three awards came her way that year; Australian Female Sailor of the Year, Victorian Junior Athlete of the Year and Bayside Leader Sports Star of the Year.  

The Olympics have fascinated her since 1996, when she collected anything to do with the Games. But it was the sailing competition at Sydney 2000 that fired her ambitions. She choose to campaign her Radial to Beijing against fellow Victorian Sarah Blanck.

Krystal narrowly missed selection in the Laser Radial for the Beijing Olympics. After this announcement she stepped into the Yngling class to keep skipper-less crew Angela Farrell and Karyn Gojnich sailing.

At the recent World Championships in Miami USA the team finished with a silver medal after just seven weeks together demonstrating that they are medal winning potential. Michael Jones the  AST Olympic Director commented that, “We were very encouraged by their second [world] result in the Yngling. They were still pretty raw together, but the combination just clicked” 

After having seven years as a solo sailor the Yngling is new and refreshing for the young 23 year old. "It is very different sharing the workload and being specific about what role to play on the boat … a big component is trust and listening to the others and then making a decision."

Krystal has completed a Bachelor of Sports Science at The Australian Catholic University, and loves cycling, hockey, surfing and any sport on water.