Richard Mason - a madforsailing profile

Any other notable regatta wins you would like to mention?
Hayling Open Meeting, Lymington Open Meeting, First Junior at 2000 Inland Championships.

Do you like school?
No! Does anyone?

What is your best subject?
Geography and P.E.

What other sports do you do outside sailing?
Gymnastics, Cricket and Rugby.

Any other hobbies or interests?
No.

What inspired you to take up sailing?
My Dad.

Which sailing club do you belong to?
Royal Lymington Yacht Club.

Which class did you first race in?
Optimists.

Have you ever used a coach?
Yes. In the Optimist class, we have a squad with the top 64 people in the rankings, the people in the squad get extra coaching. We also have winter training at Lymington, where we have been lucky enough to have had Nick Rogers, Ben Ainslie and loads of other good sailors. It’s great, they throw us out of the boats and have a go at racing themselves. My Dad also helps out with the other parents.

What is your most memorable moment in sailing?
Sailing a 29er in a force five, it was quite fast.

What is your biggest goal in sailing?
To go to the Olympics and win a medal.

How much time do you spend on the water each week?
In the summer I spend 11 hours on the water, but in the winter I can only get out about 8 hours each week.

Do you have a sponsor, and if so who?
LDC (London Dinghy Centre) Racing Sailboats supply all my kit. My parents the rest.

Who are your sailing heroes and why?
No sailing heroes but I like to read about the Olympic and America’s Cup stars.

What is the best excuse you have ever made for a poor performance in a race?
Excuse? Me!

What’s the best excuse you have ever heard for a poor performance in a race, and from who?
We sunk Australia One, America's Cup 1994.

What is your favourite sailing venue?
Pwllheli, North Wales - because it has big waves, good wind (normally) and tide.

Who is the best sailor in Britain?
There is no best sailor in Britain. There are many people good in their own classes.

Who is the best sailor in the world?
I don’t know.

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