Behind the Name with NZL Sailing Team's Sam Meech - the capsizing, medal-winning Olympian with skills beyond his sport

Tauranga's Sam Meech is a Laser class sailor in the New Zealand Sailing Team. Photo / Getty Images

Sam Meech is one of the world's best Laser sailors, He is an Olympic bronze medallist and a member of the New Zealand Sailing Team who picks up podium placings at events all around the world. But there is so much more to the 28-year-old beyond his sporting career achievements. As part of a new feature, Behind the Name, we get to know the Bay of Plenty's talented athletes who are representing New Zealand internationally. Today, we find out more about Meech – the Olympian, the student and the coffee-making surfer. We're also introduced to Samuel Sanchez and how he came about.

Do you have any nicknames? If so, how did you get the name?
Samuel Sanchez – I grew a moustache for a Mexican night with friends and it stuck.

How did you get into sailing and what has kept you involved in the sport?
I grew up sailing around the world so have always been on the water. I think it's made me enjoy the sport much more than I would have otherwise, as I enjoy just being on the water, not just the racing.
The way sailing is going, with boats becoming foiling, is what has kept me excited to keep racing and trying to be a professional sailor.

What is your sporting highlight to date and why?
Winning a medal in Rio was my sporting highlight. It was years of work all coming down to one week and then one final 20-minute medal race.

What has been the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you while sailing at any level?
I actually capsized my boat just before the first race at the Olympics, something I had not done in racing for a long time. Luckily I was not captured on camera!

What has been the biggest injury suffered while undertaking your sport?
I have had a few but the worst has been tearing my meniscus in my knee out sailing. It's happened twice now, just before the 2016 Olympic trials and then again in January this year. The recovery time hasn't been too bad, 6-8 weeks, but it involves a lot of rehab work.

If you weren't an athlete, what do you think you'd be doing today and why?
I think I would be an artist as that was my main passion at school.

When you're not sailing or training, what are you doing?
When I'm not training, I am making coffee or trying to get out surfing.

Who is your favourite athlete in any code and level, and why?
Chris Froome at the moment – just the attention to detail.

What was your very first job and what other jobs have you had in your lifetime?
My first job was working in an outdoor-furniture-making company. I didn't last long.
My main form of work is sailing coaching now.

What is something you would tell your 16-year-old self?
Enjoy school. It's the best time.

What has been your biggest personal achievement and why?
Finishing my business degree while sailing full time.

Where is your favourite place in the Bay and why?
Surfing at Crossroads. I miss being able to run down to the beach in the mornings.

Tell us three things people may not know about you:
I did home school until I was 12.
I was born in the UK.
I learned to race dinghies on Hamilton Lake.