SHOOTIN’ THE BREEZE

QHOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU STARTED SAILING? WO I started sailing from the age of about nine or 10. We sailed Oppies and Toppers on the school lakes at Lymington.

QWHAT TYPE OF BOAT DO YOU PRESENTLY OWN? WO I recently purchased a Marieholm International Folkboat, Sundance.

QWHEN DID YOU FIRST COMPETE IN THE ROUND THE ISLAND RACE? WO I was a late starter to compete at the Round the Island Race. I guess it would have been around 2002 or so. Q WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORY FROM THE RACE? WO There are a couple of stand-out roundings for me. In that same year – 2002 - we came sixteenth or so overall in the Laser 28 I used to do bow on. Then there was a time that we recorded 17.5kts on a broad reach from the Needles to St Cats, somewhere off Brook, not on the plane, partially underwater with a full main and the A3 on the Corby 33 No Retreat! in 30kts of breeze, two-handed as well…

QWILL YOU BE TAKING PART IN THE RACE THIS YEAR? WO Yes, I will certainly be part of the race this year, either on my boat Sundance or shoreside as part of the organising team.

QWHO WILL YOU BE SAILING WITH IF YOU RACE? WO I am contemplating racing two-handed as it is a part of sailing I really enjoy. There is no one else to blame apart from you and your mate. I am hoping my friend Roeland from Falmouth will come and enjoy the race with me. Q WHICH SAILORS INSPIRE YOU (PAST OR PRESENT)? WO My late Uncle David has always been the one who inspired me to sail and in particular learn how to and enjoy navigating and passage planning all in a time before GPS was a thing. I was addicted to the whole concept of life at sea and I remember as a young boy forcing David to row us out to the boat (on the piles at Yarmouth) in the middle of winter just so I could sit on it and have tea and cake and imagine a life at sea. David would help stir my imagination further with tales of his adventures on Round The Island Races and his blue water escapades. As I grew up we cruised around the spectacular coasts of SW Ireland and NW France aboard his Sadler 34.

Image: Paul Wyeth Q ARE THERE ANY CHANGES AT THE RACE THIS YEAR? WO No changes to the course, keep turning left and do not hit the dry bits! We have got over 100 amazing trophies to win and this year there are also watch prizes from our new partner, The Marathon Watch Company. Check out our trophies section on the event website.

QHAS THE PANDEMIC IMPACTED THE BUILD-UP AND PREPARATIONS THIS YEAR?

WO Well I think most people in the marine industry are really busy this year, so getting key jobs booked in requires a bit more planning than usual. It has been great to see a resurgence in yachting from home with many marinas and moorings full to capacity.

QWHY DO YOU THINK IT IS SUCH AN ICONIC SAILING EVENT? WO It is the pinnacle of the yachting year right?! It is great to be part of an event that allows you to test your mettle against seasoned pros and all the people you read about in the yachting press. It really is a ‘Race for All’ welcoming the Corinthian teams, pros, weekend cruisers and racers all to do their best against the famous Solent and Isle of Wight waters… Some of which are known to be the most treacherous waters on our planet.

QWHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE ISLAND SAILING CLUB? WO The location is great and it is an integral part of Cowes’ rich marine heritage. I am proud to be a member. The club has some great offerings for both cruising and racing sailors and that view from the balcony! It is the best on the South Coast without doubt. Date: 25 June www.roundtheisland.org.uk