Simon Hiscocks - a madforsailing profile

What other sports do you do outside sailing?
Mountain biking, windsurfing, squash, running.

Any other hobbies or interests?
Classic boats, reading, environmental issues.

Favourite method of relaxing?
Smoking?

What inspired you to take up sailing?
My parents sailed and I enjoyed it on family holidays.

Where was your first sailing club?
Arun in Littlehampton or Crawley Mariners near East Grinstead on this really small pond!

Which class did you first race in?
Mirror.

How did you buy your first boat?
It took ages to save up from paper rounds and a Saturday job.

Have you ever used a coach?
Yes.

Do you have any professional links to the sport?
Fixing boats - if you can call that professional.

What’s your most memorable moment in sailing?
Sailing an old Scorpion in a club race with this girl I really fancied!

What’s your biggest remaining goal in sailing?
Gold medal.

How much time do you spend on the water each week?
20-30 hours - weather depending.

Do you have a sponsor, and if so, who?
Looking for one, but have been supported by Holt , Typhoon and the World Class Performance program.

Who are your Sailing heroes and why?
Ernest Shackleton, who isn’t really a sailor, but I read some of his books and you will never feel cold sailing again!

What is the best excuse you’ve ever made for a poor performance in a race?
********* up.

What is the best excuse you’ve ever heard for a poor performance in a race, and from who?
Wrong side of the shift from everyone.

What’s your favourite sailing venue?
No major favourites, but Lake Garda, Hood River, Sydney and Weymouth - everywhere I get good results!

What’s the single thing that could most improve the running of championship regattas?
Professional race management and venues. The last 49er Worlds were in Mexico at a Club Med resort, which kept everyone together for the event, there was a really good social side and plenty to do for non-sailors.

What’s your greatest strength in sailing?
Not giving up.

What’s your greatest weakness in sailing?
Giving up.

What’s the single most important piece of advice you could give to younger sailors?
Don’t give up and believe in yourself. But keep your belief to yourself. Let the results stand for themselves and learn at every opportunity.

Would you rather sail with your friends - or with Russell Coutts?
I can't speak Swiss so it would have to be my friends.

Who’s the best sailor in Britain?
There are plenty of exceptional sailors, being such a diverse sport it's difficult to pick one person - for winning events, Ben Ainslie; for the broadest range of skills, Ian Walker.

Who’s the best sailor in the world?
Barker, except that would mean that Thomas Yohanson would be the real man???

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