SPF in Tow: How Olympic Sailor Olivia Price Preps for Hamilton Island Race Week
August 27 | 4 minute read
Words by The MECCA Memo
Olympic sailor Olivia Price knows the realities of full exposure better than most. With long days spent racing in sun, salt, wind and reflected UV, SPF has become as essential to her routine as any piece of equipment. We spoke to her about how she prepares for Race Week – and the skin rituals that keep her performing at her best.
The constant exposure to sun, salt, wind and UV demands as much care off the water as on it. “I didn’t always take SPF seriously,” she admits. “But now it’s the first thing I think about in the morning. I reapply before every session and always keep a backup in our spares bag – plus zinc if the UV’s really high.”
That shift in mindset, she says, is now much more common across the sport. “The formulas have come a long way. There’s more choice, better textures, better coverage. And people are finally starting to treat sun protection like the essential it is.”
Her skincare doesn’t stop at SPF. Recovery plays just as big a role in her routine, especially after hours exposed to the elements. “We’re layering sunscreen all day, with salt and sweat on top of that, so cleansing properly is non-negotiable.” After that comes hydration: hyaluronic acid, nourishing oils and moisturiser to help repair the skin barrier. Stronger actives like retinol are timed carefully, always around rest days. “It’s about listening to what your skin needs and giving it space to recover.”
Like her skincare, Price’s rituals are consistent by design. “I rig the boat the same way every time. If I don’t, it throws me off.” She also avoids green ropes – an old sailing superstition she still respects, despite the irony. “Green’s considered bad luck on a boat… which is tricky when you race in Australia’s green and gold.”
And yet, in the chaos, she finds calm. “When I’m mid-race, that’s when I feel most like myself. The stakes are high, and I know exactly what I need to do.”
In Olivia's race kit:
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. Sunscreen is only one form of sun protection. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and reapply as directed.
Hamilton Island Race Week is Australia’s largest offshore regatta, located in Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands and at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. The weeklong event combines world-class racing with island-style hospitality and celebration. This article is brought to you in partnership with MECCA COSMETICA.
