The Hague is the next stop on Freya Black’s placement year with a twist as she gets set for the Allianz Sailing World Championships.

The Goudhurst star, 22, put her studies at Exeter University on hold to give her full focus to the 49erFX boat and a fledgling partnership with Saskia Tidey.

After a seventh-place finish in last month’s Olympic Test event in Marseille, the pair are full of confidence ahead of their trip to the Netherlands, where proceedings begin on Friday.

“I'm feeling pretty good,” said Black. “We achieved our goal out in Marseille. We finished seventh overall with quite a lot of boat handling errors which left quite a few more points on the water.

“So we came away being really happy and clear on what we wanted to work on. We’re feeling pretty ready for the Worlds and can’t wait to get out there.”

This will be the first time Black has sailed round the port of Scheveningen, but after studying the course she is expecting big waves, strong winds and a fierce challenge.

She insists the primary aim is securing a qualifying spot for Team GB at next year’s Olympic Games, and knows exactly what the team need to work on in pursuit of their goal.

“I've only been in the boat about a year and a half, compared to most of the other teams, who have been doing it for six years,” explained Black.

“We haven't had the chance to get out and practise in all of the conditions and feel comfortable. We're chasing time as a team, so the boat handling errors are just about making sure we're understanding what the boat needs.

“It's just a repetitive skill at the end of the day and we just need more repetition. That's what we'll be aiming for at the Worlds.

“I definitely feel really comfortable in the boat now. It was a pretty steep learning curve, now we're just trying to put all the pieces together.

“I love the FX, it's a great boat which combines the fast pace of sailing with the tactical side.”

And Black believes she and two-time Olympian Tidey have formed a partnership built for success.

“Saskia definitely brings experience to the table,” Black added.

“She has been sailing the FX for a couple of cycles now, she has certainly fast-tracked my learning.

“I think I bring a little bit of flair to the tactical side of it, and I think Sas’ greatest skill is sailing the boat fast. So as a team, I think we work really well.”

Follow the British Sailing Team at the upcoming Sailing World Championships in The Hague, Netherlands, on Instagram at @britishsailing