George Skuodas - a madforsailing profile

British Olympic Star trials 1996 and going to the Atlanta Games.
Lymington Cup - any Grade 1 match racing win feels like a major in golf or tennis.

Where did you grow up?
Garelochhead.

What job do you do?
Recruitment Consultant.

If you weren’t doing the job you are, what would you be doing instead?
I’ve only been working in London for four years, before that I sailed full-time for eight years. I suppose they might have me back?

What other sports do you do outside sailing?
Rugby - although I’ve just given that up - golf, skiing and tennis.

Any other hobbies or interests?
If I can't play sport, then I enjoy watching it.

Favourite method of relaxing?
Varies - playing golf with my mates, eating and drinking or strolling down the Kings Road.

Favourite bar or pub?
The Chequers, Lymington, or any of the 500 between my office and home.

What inspired you to take up sailing?
I started windsurfing, but missed having somebody to talk to, so I switched to sailing!

Where was your first sailing club?
Royal Northern and Clyde YC.

Which class did you first race in?
An old Stephen Jones ¾ tonner.

How did you buy your first boat?
£400 cash for a wooden OK.

Have you ever used a coach and who where they?
Glyn Charles and I used various people in the Star including David Howlett, Derek Clark, and Ian Brown. Now I rely on the Number 14 to get to work.

What professional links do you have to the sport?
Now, none whatsoever.

What’s your most memorable moment in sailing?
Walking into the Olympic opening ceremony in Atlanta.

What’s your biggest remaining goal in sailing?
To race for the America's Cup, an Olympic medal would be nice too!

How much time do you spend on the water each week?
It pains me to admit it, but this year I have only sailed for about ten days.

Do you have a sponsor, and if so, who?
No.

Who are your sailing heroes and why?
Anyone that gybe-set a 12 Metre in 25 knots in the Fremantle America's Cup in 1987.

What is the best excuse you’ve ever made for a poor performance in a race?
I’ve heard more than I’ve made. GB took a line transit on a cow that happened to go walkabout at the wrong moment, and DC T-boned us once. In the press conference afterwards he said nobody saw the starboard tacker, nobody bore away, nobody eased the mainsheet, nobody eased the leeward runner and it was nobody's fault.

What’s your favourite sailing venue?
Fremantle, Western Australia.

What’s the single thing that could most improve the running of championship regattas?
Race officers being held responsible to the people paying the entry fees.

What’s your greatest strength in sailing?
Attitude.

What’s your greatest weakness in sailing?
Long, light air races, they fry my brain.

What’s the single most important piece of advice you could give to younger sailors?
Sail with your mates and enjoy it. If you're getting stressed, you're doing something wrong.

Would you rather sail with your friends - or with Russell Coutts?
I only sail with my friends now.

Who’s the best sailor in Britain?
Impossible to say, so many good, multi-faceted sailors - the Sydney Olympic team proved that. But the funniest is definitely Rubber Ball.

Who’s the best sailor in the world?
I could list lots of names and achievements, but on the water you are all equal, that’s the beauty of the sport.

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