ACHTS YACHTING
Sir Keith Mills
S R U O Y
EDITORIAL Editor Gael Pawson +44 (0)7855 849273 el@creatingwaves.com ditor (features) Helen Fretter Editor (tests) Rupert Holmes rt Editor Claire Greeno cture Editor Tom Gruitt ub Editor Rob Melotti & Classes Editor Paula Irish yachting@creatingwaves.com s Jeremy Evans, Bob Fisher, Andy ndi Robertson, Joe Glanfield Unsurprisingly
FREE
D
LOA SAILOR DOWNOF THE YEAR
TO
It wasn’t all work: ‘I had some fun doing that too; I remember taking one of the Farr 65s out in the Caribbean with… it was all a bit Dad’s Army really! It was a bunch of my friends and all the pro boats were out there – Disney was there – and we turned up a sort of motley crew. I think we had three or four professional sailors with us and miraculously we won the Heineken Cup in St Maarten on a bit of a beaten-up Farr 65. Those sort of things are great fun.’ It was Sir Keith who then helped Alex build his professional Open 60
was a 10-year project for Sir Keith… it certainly didn’t stop at winning the bid, he was very much involved in the planning of the sailing venue and key innovations like the fabulous spectator area – that undeniably did a huge amount for the sport, engaging the spectators in an ‘amphitheatre’ and creating an amazing atmosphere. Chatting to him about the various challenges along the way, you get a glimpse of the huge amount of planning, thought and organisation that went into ensuring the country put
If you look where the Volvo Race is with very few teams, before long we’re Ben Ainslie got an SAILOR OF THE YEAR overwhelming share of the vote, winning going to have extinction...
Ben Ainslie
about three years ago about what their aspirations were and did some consultancy, then about nine months ago they approached me again and asked if I would be interested in getting involved in bringing this sport to a wider audience. Unless we bring a wider audience to the sport, all of the teams that we have will continue to struggle to raise the funding to keep going.’ Sir Keith points out that in the 2008 Vendée Globe there were 30 teams, while this time there are 20… ‘If you look where the Volvo Ocean Race is with very few teams, before long we’re going to have extinction,’ he says bluntly. ‘I took a look at what we could do with Open 60 racing. It’s a big class; there are about 30 teams, 90 members of IMOCA. I said if all 90 of you agree unanimously to pursue a commercial path, I’ll invest the money and I’ll do it properly, but you have to sign over all your commercial rights to a company I’ll set up and then I’ll give you a percentage of the revenues we generate, but most importantly I’ll use the revenue I generate to promote the sport.’ Specifically Sir Keith sees its massive potential for providing media content. ‘If you think about 20 Open 60 boats producing 24 hours of film every day for three months, that’s a massive amount… and if you can find a way of sucking that off the boats economically and distilling it on a daily basis into either very short – I mean one-minute – or longer programme formats and really make that exciting – a bit like being in a Big Brother-type reality, you’re starting to bring sailing really to life and that it then has some great potential.’ He’s thinking big: ‘The Tour de France is now global – the most famous cycling event in the world – it attracts lots and lots of international teams, has huge coverage both for television and through all the electronic channels, and has huge commercial support. I don’t see any reason why we can’t do the same thing with Open 60 racing.’ The class already has a good circuit, Sir Keith points out, and it’s just a matter of expanding it. ‘We want to have one big event a year like a Vendée Globe or a Barcelona World Race and then in the holes pop the Fastnets or the Sydney Hobarts or create some new races of our own, so the teams have a calendar. When they go and talk to their commercial partners they have a four-year plan of events so they can plan the economics, and that suddenly
ADVERTISING the title by a massive margin. A fabulous sing Manager Lindsay Spink Ben Ainslie career: ‘In 2003-04 we established AT on what – in my opinion – is certainly pink@chelseamagazines.com Racing, which I financed basically and the best Olympic Games ever on the Finn Gold Cup victory set himBen up Ainslie for the Unsurprisingly got an set up for Alex. That’s been running water. 13 215 915 +44 (0) 20 7901 8017 now for eight years or so and he’s overwhelming share of the vote, winning defence of his Olympic title in Weymouth. Building a circuit doing his third Vendée now as we Executive Andrew Jameson Sir Keith’s most recent project could speak.’ I think of how much I’ve the title by a massive margin. A When fabulous spell an exciting future for the Open on tenterhooks, willing Alex to meson@chelseamagazines.com The fact that the tenacious Dane, Jonas been finish up safely,for I can hardly Finn Gold Cup victory set him the imagine how 60 class. He has set up a new company, +44 (0)207 901 8012 Hoegh-Christensen, threatened to spoil it’s been for Sir Keith. He nods: ‘It’s an based in Switzerland, to manage the defence of his Olympic title extraordinary in Weymouth. class, with the aim of developing its race.’ commercial potential internationally. Theto fact that thebelow tenacious Dane, Jonasof the Olympics ‘As an owner of a an Open 60 yacht celebrate Ainslie’s A small matter Below The PUBLISHING the anticipated party Organising the Olympic Games has racing team I had been somewhat TeamOrigin America’s Hoegh-Christensen, threatened to spoil taken a large part of Sir Keith’s efforts that the class association – Cup bid featured a ging Director Paul Dobson entry into the record books as the most over recent years. ‘I’ve had to juggle frustrated IMOCA - had been talking for a long time talented British sailing the anticipated party to celebrate Ainslie’s Managing Director Stevedecorated Ross that with all my business interests about promoting the sport much more. squad skippered by Ben Olympicentry sailor ever simply as well,’ ‘We had discussions with them Ainslie into the record books as thehe explains. most The Olympics mercial Director Vicki Gavin InjuryOlympic too didn’t decorated sailor ever&simply ublisher Simon Temlettadded to the drama. The Yachts Yachting Awards celebrate the best in sailing to the drama. Injury& tooYachting didn’t uct Manager Oliver Morley-Norris make the WINNERS path easyadded for Ainslie, heand Yachts Awards celebrated the We will launch the 2014 Awards at the make the path easy for Ainslie, and hing Consultant Martin illustrated Nott just what a tough ask it was; we very best in what was a fabulous year for Southampton Boat Show in September, with he Yachtsillustrated and Yachting Awards the very best in what just what a tough celebrate ask it was; we were usedwas to him winning, it had seemed sport and for sailing... from the Volvo Ocean nominations for the main categories invited WEBSITE were used to him winning, it had seemed a fabulous year from sport and for sailing… There were w.yachtsandyachting.co.uk so easy, but Olympic winning in any Olympic classGames, world recordso easy, but winning in any class Race, to the Olympic online. A shortlist will then be drawn up for so many incredibleheachievements that it iscelebrate tough the to very recognise Yachts and Yachting Awards best in what and especially such a competitive one asnew boats breaking performances, to and kit,were all voting inOF November/December. So if you come and especially ajust competitive one as PHOTO THE YEAR them such all inthe 10 categories, but you voted in your thousands, SMALL PRINT was a fabulous year from sport and for sailing… There Finn is never easy. The fact that we Printed in England by the Finn is never easy. The played a key part in inspiring sailors young and old across an amazing event or achievement, great fact that we so many incredible achievements that it is tough to recognise Ian Roman edged the win with his shot of aAbu Dhabi those votes added to the votes of thethe judging panel, and gotwere a proper glimpse of the hard work, deham Heron, Maldon, Essex. Ian Roman them all in just 10 categories, but you voted in your thousands, to take part in our fantastic sport, and added to new product or an amazing image, make sure got a proper glimpse of the hard work, the immense pressures and the pain that goes Production All Points Media the Volvo Ocean Race. We think the image speaks here are the results... Ian Roman edged the win with his shot of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing for those votes were added to the votes of the judging panel, and www.allpointsmedia.co.uk immense pressuresinto at such high levelwater. made our enjoyment of the you get your nominations in and get involved in in andachieving thehere pain thatagoes the Volvo Ocean Race. We think the image speaks for itself! are the results... Production Creating Waves the win all the sweeter. To do it in front of www.creatingwaves.com into achieving at such a high There were so many incredible achievements helping to decide the winners for next year. level made 40 Yachts & Yachting February 2013 a home crowd… there’s not much that can bution COMAG, Tavistock Road, that it it is in tough to recognise them all in just 11 In the meantime, we look forward to seeing 1 the sweeter. 2 front 3 West Drayton, UB7 7QE the win all better To that.do There could onlyofhave been 0)1895 433600 www.comag.co.uk categories. To you on the water! a home crowd… there’s not ofmuch thatshow can the breadth, strength and one winner our award. Runners up have were and depth, the Helena inspiring and the sheer UBSCRIPTIONSbetter that. There could only beenLucasperformances, hting, Tower House, Sovereign Park, Hannah Mills; Helena’s achievement was variety of events and strands the sport of sailing one winner of our award. et Harborough, Leics LE16 9EF impressive and warrants a special mention. Tel: +44 (0)1858 438444 encompasses is not easy, but people voted in their Runners up were Helena Lucas and She won gold in the Paralympic 2.4mR class w.subscription.co.uk/yachts thousands. Those votes were added to the votes whereachievement she was the only female competitor. Hannah Mills; Helena’s was ts & Yachting is published by It was of also GBR’s first the judging panel, sailing and we enjoyed a fabulous 5 Paralympic 6 impressive4 and warrants a special mention. helsea Magazine Company Ltd, medal. Hannah, sailing with Saskia Clark 2 se, 2 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TQ 1 3 event at the Tullet Prebon London Boat Show to She won gold in thewon Paralympic 2.4mR class a silver medal at her first Olympic Tel: +44 (0)20 7349 3700 celebrate the winners. where she was the only female competitor. Games... you have to say that all the Olympic © The Chelsea Magazine As well as are theworthy sponsors andParalympic Paralympic sailors of a for each category, we It was also GBR’s first sailing ny Ltd 2013. All rights reserved. prize...have but weto had to pickthe one!silver sponsor of the Awards, ISSN 0044-000 thank
7
AWARDS2013 AWARDS2013 OFFICIAL AWARDS GUIDE
The Yachts &Yachting Yachting Awards celebrate the best in sailing The Yachts & Awards Celebrating the veryAWARDS2013 best in racing sailing over the last 12 months... AWARDS2013
Dragonfly 32
Performance Boat of the year under 30ft J/70
Dinghy of the Year 49er FX
Innovation of the Year
T
T
TeamO Marine
Photo of the Year Ian Roman
Yacht Club of the Year Royal Southern YC
Racing Performance of the Year Banque Populaire
Sailor of the Year Sir Ben Ainslie
0
11
Ian Roman
Achievement of the Year Award David Howlett
Event of the Year
Paralympic and Olympic Sailing Competition
Lifetime Achievement Award Sir Keith Mills
Left The fabulous trophies were by Astins
Y&Y Awards 2013 8
Celebrating the very best in racing sailing over the last 12 months... PHOTO OF THE YEAR
photo: IAn romAn
T
Performance Boat of the Year over 30ft
9
1658 Keith Mills (4).indd 40
Ocean Racing in itself!
18/12/2012 13:55
12
ewin Dolphin Divisional Director Sasha Dabliz and Banque Populaire crewmember, round the world racer Brian Thompson 8 Ben Ainslie accepts his award on screen 9 Musto’s Managing Director, Nigel Musto Olympic coach David ‘Sid’ Howlett 10 Gael Pawson with Rob Andrews who was in charge of the running of the Olympic and Paralympic sailing competition, and Stephen ‘Sparky’ Park, who managed the GBR mpic and Paralympic teams 11 Ian Bailey, MD of Sebago and Alex Mills, Sir Keith Mills’ son 12 Lloyd Hamilton and Brian Thompson talked about Toe in the Water; Yachts & Yachting’s official charity for 2013
®
Yachts & Yachting
dd 11
11
photo: onedItIon*
March 2013
22/01/2013 19:55
medal. Hannah, sailing with Saskia Clark
photo: onedItIon*
Without their help, and that of our this magazine may be reproduced won a silver medal at herGarmin. first Olympic mission in writing. Every care is taken 1 Richard Roberts, joint Managing Director of category sponsor the Yacht Market, and Alistair Woods from the UK Dragonfly distributor, Multihull Solutions 2 Charlotte Bishop from Garmin and Didier Le Moal of other sponsors, we wouldn’t have been able to J Composites, (European builders of the J/70) 3 Gael Pawson Chris Turner from UK 49er builder and distributor Ovington Boats 4 Gael Pawson and Oscar Mead from TeamO Marine 5 Gael Pawson and you France have to say that all andthe Olympic e accuracy of information inGames... Yachts & photographer Ian Roman 6 Charlotte Bishop from Garmin and Royal Southern YC Commodore, David Mead ut no responsibility can be accepted grow the awards as we have. We’d also like to sailors are worthy of a sequences of actions basedand on the Paralympic Silver sponsor Supported by thank Sunsail for their reader-prize support, ACHIEVEMENT OF THE YEAR rayed herein. The Chelsea Magazine prize... but we had to pick one! makes every effort to ensure that the Gael Pawson, Editor Lanson for the champagne and Astins for the ontained in this magazine is derived le sources. We cannot, however, accept beautiful trophies presented to the winners. David ‘Sid’ Howlett for transactions between readers and 10 Yachts & Yachting March 2013 Coach to Olympic gold medal winner Ben Ainslie, David ‘Sid’ Howlett has always Yachts & Yachting welcomes letters. 1659 Awards (2).indd 10
photo: Ian Roman/VolVo photo: RIChaRd langdon/SkandIa team gBR* oCean RaCe*
& Yachting
5
photo: Ian Roman/VolVo oCean RaCe*
photo: RIChaRd langdon/SkandIa team gBR*
4
maintained a low profile, and yet he has been a key force behind a number of 22/01/2013 19:55 impressive Olympic performances over the 6years. ‘Sid’ was a very successful Finn and star sailor in his own right and since then he has worked with world-beating Finn and Star teams at the Olympics, earning gold medal results with Iain Percy and Ben Ainslie. His role in Ben Ainslie’s Olympic career is fundamental, perhaps best outlined by Ainslie himself in a touching video tribute to his long-time coach and friend: ‘Sid and I have been together – it’s like a marriage really… on and off for the pastto12Olympic years. Really Sidmedal makes winner the campaign honestly‘Sid’ don’tHowlett think I’d has always Coach gold Ben possible, Ainslie,I David be able to do it without him. Not only on the water but logistically running the maintained a low profile, and yet he has been a key force behind a number of Supported by campaign, getting everything together, behind the scenes he does so much that I impressive Olympic performances over the years. ‘Sid’ was a very successful Finn and can’t do and that really makes a huge difference.’
ACHIEVEMENT OF THE YEAR
David ‘Sid’ Howlett
Silver sponsor
photo: B. StIChelBaut/BpCe*
star sailor in his own right and since then he has worked with world-beating Finn and Star teams at the Olympics, earning gold medal results with Iain Percy and Ben Ainslie. His role in Ben Ainslie’s Olympic career is fundamental, perhaps best outlined 30 Yachts & Yachting February 2013 by Ainslie himself in a touching video tribute to his long-time coach and friend: 1 Richard Roberts, joint Managing Director of category sponsor the Yacht Market, and Alistair Woods Dragonfly Multihull Charlotte Bishop from Garmin and Didier Moalthe of ‘Sidfrom andtheI UK have beendistributor, together – it’sSolutions like a 2marriage really… on and off Lefor J Composites, France builders of the J/70) 3 Gael Pawson and Chris Turner from UK 49er builder and distributor Ovington Boats 4 Gael Pawson and Oscar Mead from TeamO Marine 5 Gael Pawson andI’d 1658(European Awards (5).indd 30 19/12/2012 11:29 past 12 years. Really Sid makes the campaign possible, I honestly don’t think 2013 Yachts & Yachting 31 photographer Ian Roman 6 Charlotte Bishop from Garmin and Royal Southern YC Commodore, be Davidable Meadto do it without him. Not only on the February water but logistically running the Silver Guide sponsor Supported by Awards 2013 campaign, getting everything together, behind the scenes he does so much that I Silver sponsor Supported by 1658 Awards (5).indd 31 19/12/2012 11:29 can’t do and that really makes a huge difference.’ ®
PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR 30 10
Yachts & Yachting Yachts & Yachting
February 2013 March 2013
Banque Populaire
®
This award for a record or race win would undoubtedly have gone to Paul Larsen’s amazing Sailrocket, but that fabulous record came too late in the year