Nick Thompson - a madforsailing profile

5th May 1986

Where were you born?
Southampton (Hampshire)

At what age did you start sailing?
2 years (on dad’s yacht)

What inspired you to take up sailing?
My father built his own yacht and so introduced me into the sport.

Where was your first sailing club?
Salterns sailing club

Which class did you first race in?
International Cadet class

How did you buy your first boat?
My father bought it off a friend

What was your first regatta win?
The Spinnaker Sailing Club Junior Optimist open meeting.

What’s your biggest event or championship win?
The 1999 European Optimist Championships (Greece)

Any other notable regattas that you have taken part in you would like to mention?
1st at the World and European team selection trials 2000
1st at Flanders Youth regatta (Belgium) 1999
1st at the Irish Optimist National Championships 1999
1st at the RYA Eric Twiname 1999
Selected for 3 European and 1 World Championships, Winner of the MDL Young sailor of the year 1999
1st at the Junior Optimist National Championships 1998

Which event will you be taking part in next?
National Youth Championships (Largs, Scotland)

Do you do any sailing specific off the water training?
Fitness, stretching, and swimming training; and also reading up.

Which coaches do you use if any?
Brian Staite, James Date; Ian Clingan, Mark Littlejohn

If you weren’t doing the job you are, what would you like to be doing instead?
Still at school.

Which other sports do you take part in?
Swimming, cross country running, and tennis.

Do you have other hobbies or interests outside of sailing?
Swimming, cross country running, and tennis, general fitness work.

Do you have a favorite bar, pub or restaurant?
No

Tell us about your most memorable sail?
The last race at the European Optimist Championships.

Who are your role models?
Ben Ainslie, Iain Percy.

What’s your biggest remaining goal in sailing?
To win the Laser Olympic Games.

How much time do you spend on the water each week?
Varies from about 10 - 50 hours

Who are your sponsors?
Helly Hansen, Speed Sails.

What is the best excuse you have ever given for a poor performance in a race?
My hat blew off.

What is the funniest thing you have either witnessed or experienced whilst sailing?
A friend capsizing and even though they weren’t on the bottom the boat balanced for ages on its mast in strong winds.

Do you have a favorite sailing venue and what makes it a great place to sail?
Weymouth (UK), and anywhere else abroad.

What’s the single thing that could most improve the running of regattas?
Confident, knowledgeable race officers.

What is your greatest strength in sailing?
Fitness and tactical knowledge.

What is your greatest weakness in sailing?
Getting cold.

What’s the single most important piece of advice you could give to younger sailors?
Spend as much constructive time on the water as possible.

Who are your sailing heroes and why?
Ben Ainslie and Iain Percy for their Olympic success.

If you could sail for a day with anyone of your choice who would it be and why?
Ellen MacArthur as I would learn a great deal and she would have some great stories to tell, and she is generally a nice person.

Who do you think are the best sailors in Britain?
Ben Ainslie, Iain Percy, Mark Littlejohn, Steve Cockerill, Paul Goodison.

Who do you rate as the best sailor in the world?
Paul Elvestrom

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