Last board you really loved?
Sounds like a marketing moment but the new RRD Freestyle wave. For me the love comes when a board improves your sailing in a big way, last time I had that big a change was way back with F2 when Patrick Diethelm made me a custom Style.
Last time you got really angry?
I did all that when I was in my teens, though any parent with kids will say there has to be the odd occasion you lose your temper, and you know what, they’re right!
Last time you prayed?
Easy one that, 140mph, Lexus, a tree and a moment in life where you’re brain slows time beyond that of the very best high fame rate cameras.
Last time you made a final?
Tiree Wave Classic. It’s probably the longest target I ever had. I was at the second event held back in the 80’s, somehow I walked away with a trophy for fourth. Everyone remembers his or her first trophy right! Not that you normally get one for fourth. I’ve been going back over the years and somehow everything came together this year. You always need luck to be running your way but after the first round of sailing I was sitting in 1st place with zero chance of wind for the rest of the week. Hmmm, never say never. Just when we thought it was all over but the prize giving, a sniff of wind had us amassing at the Maze, offshore and uber light, this was not for me. Big Davey had won this event almost as many times as it had been run and he was on a charge, coming up through the rounds with energy until Kyle McGinn stopped his run. I floated out and as predicted was back on the beach fifteen minutes later licking my wounds. Heading back out for the deciding final I guessed this was as near a chance as I would ever get, so I guess competitive spirit took over where talent failed as the result was a close call. So close, only the rulebook could call it and fortunately ruled in my favour. Honestly I can’t tell you how much that one meant, probably more than anything I’ve ever won.
Last time you clenched your first in celebration?
Funny, I don’t really get that defining moment, of late I’ve been doing the Masters wave comps, when you get the decision, the adrenalin of battle has passed. Speed sailing is similar, you might see 1st on the board as you cross the line but there’s always someone still coming down the run that could upset the results. I’ve only been that last man once, we were in Sotovento for the Production Worlds and I was sitting in fourth with an impossible hill to climb. I’d banged in one good run but with the result based on the average of your best two runs I had only got up to third with only enough time for one more run. I’m a great believer that you don’t get anywhere with out a little luck and this last run turned out to be the proof. I’d hooked up a flying start and struck gold as a huge gust hit me from behind, I could hardly hold on when I felt my boom creak and groan under the pressure before the backend exploded. I could almost feel my blood boil as I thought, what the heck, I might as well see how far this shit will get me down the beach, when it was suddenly replaced with “but I am still flying”. Actually I felt more powered than I’d been all week, not a comfortable power but who’s complaining. I looked back at the boom end to see both retaining clips had shattered and the boom end had slid inside the boom. Somehow friction had stopped it sliding in all the way but just enough to add power to the sail and open up the leach. I still don’t know how it held so didn’t expect to cross the line let alone see first flash up on the screen. I let everything go and punched the air with excitement, I’d made the podium ! Ten minutes passed before Karin Jaggi came over with the news I’d won, “thanks”, “no you’ve won !” she said. Don’t get me wrong, I was happy to take the title but honest enough to say I didn’t win, the others just lost.
Last time you tidied your bedroom?
I’m not prepared to answer that; it will only cause me pain.