Mike James
Began sailing in 1973 crewing then helming in a Mirror dinghy, then learning in a singlehander that capsized on every gybe in a Force 3 and up. Sailed a 470 dinghy held together with duct tape as helm and crew in my teenage years, learnt windsurfing and drinking untreated sewerage at Herne Bay in Kent.Crewed for my father in 1979 winning Pacer dinghy Nationals in a boat which I still own. Sailed a Laser 1 including on a lake on ice free winter days, but gave up racing dinghies in 1995 after a race with five capsizes on one beat followed by the boom falling off. Did foredeck and navigation on Sigma 33's in the 1990's. Bought Westerly GK Forethought in 1996, and have cruised and raced her since. I have managed on one occasion to race four times round the Isle of Wight in a year.
Last updated 10:31 on 17 May 2024