Jim Turner - a madforsailing profile

4th December 1975.

Where were you born?
Bridport, Dorset.

At what age did you start sailing?
When I was nine

What inspired you to take up sailing?
My brother, Chris.

Where was your first sailing club?
Lyme Regis Sailing Club.

Which class did you first race in?
Mirror at Lyme Regis.

How did you buy your first boat?
The sailing club had old Mirror dinghies for young club members to use. Then I badgered my parents into getting me a really old Topper.

What was your first regatta win?
Lyme Regis Regatta.

What’s your biggest event or championship win?
Bermuda Gold Cup in 1999.

Any other notable regattas that you have taken part in would you like to mention?
Winning the Fireball Worlds, Europeans and Nationals (twice), Winning the International 14 Europeans, sailing with the Barlo Plastics Team on the Mumm 30 and Mumm 36 was great. Winning the Flying 15 Nationals with Jim Hunt in 1998 was good as it was the Jubilee Regatta at Cowes with close on 200 boats.

Which event will you be taking part in next?
Steinlager Cup Match Race, Auckland in March.

Do you do any sailing specific off the water training?
At the moment once a day in the gym, six days a week. Also five-a-side football three times a week.

Which coaches do you use if any?
At present no one, but in the past I’ve been lucky enough to have been coached by the likes of Jim Saltonstall, Bill Edgerton, Chris Law, Glyn Charles, Andy Hemmings and Paul Brotherton.

Do you have any professional links to sailing?
As well as sailing professionally, I’m involved with my brother Chris in Specialized Marine. We build International 14’s and offer a full chandlery service.

If you weren’t doing the job you are, what would you like to be doing instead?
Professional footballer.

Which other sports do you take part in?
Five-a-side football.

Do you have other hobbies or interests outside of sailing?
Going to watch Aston Villa whenever possible.

How do you like to relax?
Out with mates.

Do you have favourite bar, pub or restaurant?
The Harbour Inn, Lyme Regis.

Tell us about your most memorable sail?
The final of the Bermuda Gold Cup against Magnus Holmberg. It was two-all, so the winner of the final race would take first place (as well as $20,000 prize). He led around the final windward mark in 20 knots. On the final run to the finish we managed to give him two penalties to win.

Who are your role models?
People who have achieved so much but are still on the level.

What’s your biggest remaining goal in sailing?
To represent Britain in the America's Cup.

How much time do you spend on the water each week?
It varies but usually three or four days if training.

Who are your sponsors?
Gill.

What is the best excuse you have ever given for a poor performance in a race?
Having slept on the doorstep of a hotel the night before. That’s all you’re getting!

What is the funniest thing you have either witnessed or experienced whilst sailing?
At the 14 Worlds in San Francisco everyone was wiping out and breaking gear. I’ve never seen 80 per cent of any fleet out of action at the same time, before or since!

Do you have a favourite sailing venue and what makes it a great place to sail?
Lyme Regis in a breezy south-westerly. Big waves and great scenery.

What’s the single thing that could most improve the running of regattas?
Professional umpires in match racing.

What is your greatest strength in sailing?
Will to win and work hard.

What is your greatest weakness in sailing?
Meteorology and navigation.

What’s the single most important piece of advice you could give to younger sailors?
Make sure you enjoy it.

Who are your sailing heroes and why?
I was lucky enough to do some Soling sailing with the late Glyn Charles. From day one he was just the nicest bloke going. Fiercely competitive when racing, worked us very hard but at the end of the day would take us for a beer and a chat. A man that achieved a great deal yet would have time for giving help and advice.

If you could sail for a day with anyone of your choice who would it be and why?
A bit sad I know but I’d like a day out in an IACC boat with the Team New Zealand crew. I think you’d learn so much.

Who do you think are the best sailors in Britain?
A VERY hard choice but Neal McDonald. He has won at dinghy level, sailed in the Olympics, Whitbread, America's Cup and now The Race. Also the Olympic Team in Sydney.

Who do you rate as the best sailor in the world?
As most people will say, Russell Coutts. Olympic gold, match racing domination and two America's Cups.

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