Pippa Kenton-Page has dedicated her life to sailing. She began her journey as a young sailor in the Optimist and Cadet classes, where she quickly found success by winning the UK Nationals, the European Championships, and securing a 4th place finish at the World Championships. At just 16, she transitioned to the International 29er class, where she claimed both the 29er Youth World Championship and the 29er European Championship in 2002, marking the start of an impressive career in competitive sailing.
Her achievements didn’t stop there. Pippa won the 420 European Championships in 2004 before moving into the Yngling class. Partnering with Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb, she earned gold medals at the Cascais and Miami World Championships and the European Championships in 2008. The pinnacle of her career came with an Olympic gold medal in the Yngling class at the Beijing 2008 Games. For her outstanding contributions to the sport, she was awarded an MBE in the 2009 New Year Honours.
After years of intense high-performance racing, Pippa took a well-deserved break to pursue other interests. During this time, she learned how to kite and windsurf, and completed a degree in Sports Science. She later moved to Dubai, started a family, and is now a mother of three children.
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Now based in Dubai, Pippa serves as the Executive Director of the International 29er Class. In this role, she oversees the class’s day-to-day operations, which include handling membership inquiries, maintaining and updating the class website, and coordinating with organisers of major events and the Eurocup series. She also plays a key role in organising the annual World Council meeting and acts as the primary liaison with World Sailing, ensuring the class’s interests are well represented. Pippa works closely with the Class President, Vice Presidents, and the Executive Committee to promote the 29er and provide opportunities for sailors to compete at the highest levels.
In addition to her administrative role, Pippa is deeply involved in coaching and mentoring young sailors. She teaches dinghy racing at the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, passing on her skills and inspiring the next generation of sailors. Her passion for the sport extends beyond competition; she is committed to making sailing accessible, safe, and enjoyable for everyone, whether they are new to the sport or aiming to race at a high level.
Pippa remains active on the water herself, competing in various events and embracing other watersports like wing foiling. Recently, she won the SB20 Worlds in 2024 and has been competing in the RS21 class across Europe during the 2024 season. Her love for sailing and dedication to the growth of the International 29er Class continue to make her a driving force in the world of sailing.
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