Two degrees for sailing champion

However the hard work paid off for the rising sports star as he graduated this week from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Science.

George completed the conjoint degree within the normal timeframe of five years, while competing in multiple sailing events including the World Match Racing Tour, Extreme Sailing Series and the ISAF Youth Match Racing World Championships in 2017, in which he placed third. For this he gained an open world match racing ranking up to 14th.

“After five years of balancing full time study, training, competing and working it was a massive relief to realise that I had gotten through it,” George, who is a member of the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron, says.

“In my final year of study I was away for a total of 11 weeks of semester time. However as a member of the University’s High Performance Sport Programme, I was given incredible support and flexibility to still complete my studies.”

The University’s High Performance Support Programme is for students who have gained elite status in their field, and provides support to balance study and sporting commitments.

George says the decision to complete a conjoint degree has benefitted both his sport and career. He majored in operations and supply chain management for his commerce degree, and Earth sciences for his science degree.

“Being a highly competitive sailor, Earth sciences allowed me to take papers in subjects such as oceanography and atmospheric science, which has aided my development within the sport.”

He is now balancing a supply chain analyst role with Fletcher Building Easysteel and a busy international event calendar, with competitions already held in Australia and America this year, and in Europe and China later this year.

“Without my qualifications from the University of Auckland I certainly would not be in the position I am in now that allows me to both work and compete in sailing internationally.”

The University of Auckland’s Autumn Graduation is one of New Zealand’s largest celebrations of academic achievement. More than 4000 students attended the ceremonies which included a procession along Queen Street and the conferring of degrees and diplomas at Aotea Square.