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Tess Lloyd hasn't let the Olympics' 12-month delay get to her as she awaits a Games debut alongside veteran sailing partner Jaime Ryan.

Time apart can test any relationship but sailor Tess Lloyd thinks it will benefit hers as she waits for a belated Olympic debut alongside Jaime Ryan next year.

The 49er FX duo should be in the final stages of their preparation for the Tokyo Games, where Lloyd was set to compete eight years after a horror racing accident left her in a coma and needing brain surgery.

Instead, Lloyd and Ryan are confined to their Melbourne and Sydney homes respectively, hoping to reunite on the water soon as coronavirus pandemic restrictions are gradually lifted.

"We have been talking every day to stay on the same page and hopefully we're back training together soon," Lloyd told AAP.

"But it's almost like a relationship; sometimes it's good to have some space away from each other.

"We do spend so much time together that you can use this time to come back really fresh."

Lloyd expects the class's relative newcomers will benefit from the 12-month postponement of the Olympics.

And she isn't frustrated by the delay given the lessons learned from a nasty crash as a 16-year-old that left her learning to speak again and - according to some doctors - unlikely to sail again.

"It's been a very long journey, a few hurdles but it's just part of the game and it's up to you to be resilient and keep sticking at your goals," she said.

"All athletes have setbacks, they're quite good at managing it all and my setbacks have helped me, made me more determined."

Ryan sailed in the 420 class at Rio's Games but has flourished since making the switch to join Lloyd about two years ago.

She has ensured Lloyd's focus hasn't wavered during the shutdown, not that she needs much prompting.

"People may think that it's smooth sailing once you make the Olympic team, but nothing gets easier," Lloyd said.

"The process doesn't change for us, but after all this has happened the Olympics is going to be something that brings everyone together.

"It's going to make it even bigger and more exciting.

"It'll be quite an amazing thing for the world to experience."