Tessa Parkinson and Elise Rechichi have many things in common. They were both born in 1986 and loved sailing from a young age.

Tessa was only eight years old when she began sailing at the Fremantle Sailing Club and was competing by the age of eleven.

Elise was only seven years old when she started at the Royal Perth Yacht Club and was competing the following year.

The pair joined forces in 2004 to compete in the 420 class and achieved quick success in the world youth championships in Poland and the open world championships in Victoria.

They then moved to the Olympic class 470 category where after facing prolonged breaks in their training and preparation they had their golden year in 2008.

Elise and Tessa placed third in the 2008 World Championships and went on to record a magnificent victory in the Beijing Games the same year.