Tim Robinson - a madforsailing profile

Also known to his sailing mates as the Earl of Rutland

Where were you born?
Newcastle upon Tyne.

What’s your date of birth?
8th December 1964.

What age did you start sailing?
Occasionally at 6, with enthusiasm at 13, and seriously at 24.

What was your first regatta win?
Horizon Trophy, International 14’s, London Corinthian SC in 1986.

What’s your biggest championship win?
JJ Giltinan Trophy, the 18 Foot Skiff World Championships, Sydney Harbour 1999.

Any other notable regatta wins you’d like to mention?
3 x International 14 European Champion (1991, 92, 93)
2 x 18 Foot Skiff Europeans (1992, 1995)
Brut Skiff Grand Prix 1996
Chernikeeff Gold series in the 49er, 1999.

Where did you grow up?
Rutland.

What job do you do?
Entrepreneur (telecoms and commercial property).

If you weren’t doing the job you are, what would you be doing instead?
Property or sport's marketing.

What other sports do you do outside sailing?
Surfing, cycling, some golf.

Any other hobbies or interests?
History, financial markets.

Favourite method of relaxing?
Pub and/or dinner.

Favourite bar or pub?
Pub with no name, Wandsworth, London.

What inspired you to take up sailing?
My parents sailed and I liked it.

Where was your first sailing club?
Tynemouth SC, Newcastle.

Which class did you first race in?
Crewing in a National 12.

How did you buy your first boat?
My parents did, it was an Optimist that cost £10!!

Have you ever used a coach?
Yes - Ian Walker, Sparky (Stephen Parks, RYA 49er coach) Russell Peters and Daniel Phillips.

Do you have any professional links to the sport?
Yes, until recently I had World Class Performance (Lottery) funding, and there was prize money from the 18 Foot Skiffs and sponsorship, plus income from sailing sport's marketing.

What’s your most memorable moment in sailing?
Winning the 18 Foot Skiff World Championships.

What’s your biggest remaining goal in sailing?
Not sure at the moment, though probably short-handed (two-handed) offshore, but not too far, i.e. Round Britain. And also to win the 18 Foot Skiffs again.

How much time do you spend on the water each week?
Right now, more time in the bath than on the water, but it was 25 to 30 hours a week.

Do you have a sponsor, and if so, who?
Nautica, Holt, Busta, Gul and the 18 Foot Skiff League in Sydney.

Who are your Sailing heroes and why?
Uffa Fox for his innovations, enthusiasm and character.

What’s your favourite sailing venue?
Sydney Harbour.

What’s the single thing that could most improve the running of championship regattas?
Quick turn-around between races.

What’s your greatest strength in sailing?
Strong winds and survival conditions.

What’s your greatest weakness in sailing?
Light airs.

What’s the single most important piece of advice you could give to younger sailors?
Be focused when you are sailing, and develop other interests when you are not. Or do not sail to the exclusion of everything else.

Would you rather sail with your friends - or with Russell Coutts?
With friends who sail as well as Russell Coutts, i.e. Ian Walker.

Who’s the best sailor in Britain?
Hard one, but Ian Walker for his continual and consistent successes in a range of boats and crew positions.

Who’s the best sailor in the world?
Don’t know.

====================================================

If you're reading this and you think madforsailing should be profiling someone you know ...

madforsailing want to profile all the top sailors - but we may be struggling to find some of them! If you'd like to tell us about someone you know, just click here and send us an email address or a phone number.