Hugh Styles - a madforsailing profile

What's your biggest championship win?
The 1997 Laser European Championships at Cascais in Portugal.

Any other notable regatta wins you'd like to mention?
6th Sydney Olympics 2000, in the Tornado.
1st British Olympic Tornado Trials 2000.
4th Spa Regatta 2000.
5th Tornado European Championships 2000.
8th Tornado World Championships 2000.
1st Torbole Tornado Trophy 1999.
8th Hyeres Eurolymp Regatta Tornado 1998.
5th Laser World Championships 1997.
2nd Laser Nationals 1997.
1st National Match Racing Championship 1996.
2nd Olympic Trials Laser 1995.
3rd Laser European Championships 1995.
3rd Kiel Eurolymp Regatta 1995.
World Student Yachting Champion 1994.

Where did you grow up?
Sandwich in Kent.

What job do you do?
Aeronautical engineer at BAe Systems.

If you weren't doing the job you are, what would you be doing instead?
Public relations and media or tv commentary.

What other sports do you do outside sailing?
Fitness training, football, cycling.

Any other hobbies or interests?
Socialising with my old university friends back in Portsmouth

Favourite method of relaxing?
Beers and or getting a massage.

Favourite bar or pub?
Any that will have me.

What inspired you to take up sailing?
My father putting me in a boat at the age of 6 and pushing me off the beach.

Where was your first sailing club?
Downs Sailing Club

Which class did you first race in?
Enterprises - crewing for my father and then Toppers individually.

How did you buy your first boat?
With help from my folks at age 11.

Have you ever used a coach?
A number of coaches, while Laser sailing and then during this Tornado campaign we used a variety of different coaches to make up for our lack of experience in the class.

Do you have any professional links to the sport?
I have sailed on big boats professionally in the past, and there are a number of opportunities that are coming up in the next year.

What's your most memorable moment in sailing?
I have two, first was winning the Laser European Championships in 1997, and the second was being part of the most successful Olympic team at the 2000 Sydney Games.

What's your biggest remaining goal in sailing?
To win a gold medal at the Olympics.

How much time do you spend on the water each week?
A training week consists of three or four hours on the water, two hours of boat preparation and two hours of exercise five days a week and less at weekends.

Do you have a sponsor, and if so, who?
BAe Systems, Neil Pryde, Oakley, P&O Stena line.

Who are your sailing heroes - and why?
John Bertrand - the skipper of Australia 2, the boat that took the America's Cup off the Americans in 1983.

What is the best excuse you've ever made for a poor performance in a race?
Too drunk.

What is the best excuse you've ever heard for a poor performance in a race, and from who?
'I lost my sunnies', from Richard Sydenham, sailing the Soling.

What's your favorite sailing venue?
Cascais, Portugal or Sydney Harbour - can't decide.

What's the single thing that could most improve the running of championship regattas?
A greater focus on providing what the sailors want, currently too much money is spent on paying juries, etc.

What's your greatest strength in sailing?
Never say die attitude.

What's your greatest weakness in sailing?
I hate to lose.

What's the single most important piece of advice you could give to younger sailors?
You can achieve anything you want to, as long as you are committed.

Would you rather sail with your friends - or with Russell Coutts?
I'd sail with my friends against Russell Coutts and beat him.

Who's the best sailor in Britain?
Iain Percy.

Who's the best sailor in the world?
My mate Richard Sydenham, Olympic Soling sailor.

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