“The coolest boat ever would be the Sunfish,” says Van Aanholt. US duo Alex Bryan and Cortlandt Heyniger developed the Sunfish in the 1950s, and with an estimated 300,000-500,000 dinghies sold it has become one of the most popular classes in the world.

Simple and stable, it has a flat board-like hull, distinctive triangular lateen sail, and two-line rigging system. Widely sailed in the Americas it also has fleets in Europe.

“I grew up on a small Caribbean island called Curacao where this was the local class,” recalls Van Aanholt. “My dad – also a former Olympian – would race with all the other locals every weekend and it was the very first boat I sailed in! [At first] with my dad or one of my older siblings, then when I was six I was allowed to sail it for the first time by myself on the lagoon – that was scary but also very cool.

“I love the boat because to me it carries a lot of nostalgia. It’s also a class that brings young and old together with many seniors up to 85 years old still competing in the local regattas.”

Sunfish stats rating

Top speed: 10 knots
LOA: 4.20m/13ft 9in
Launched: 1952
Berths: 0
Price: $500-$5500 (used/new)
Adrenalin factor: 30%

Odile Lambriex Van Aanholt

Odile Van Aanholt is reigning Olympic Champion in the 49erFX women’s skiff and a three-times world champion. She also helmed the Dutch AC40 in the Women’s America’s Cup. Van Aanholt is mounting a new 49erFX campaign for LA 2028, and is part of the TV commentary team for the next America’s Cup.

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