Simon Fry - a madforsailing profile

Bournemouth, Dorset.

What’s your date of birth?
21st March 1966.

What age did you start sailing?
Started in the carry cot with Mum and Dad.

What was your first regatta win?
Junior Scow's Week in 1979. I think.

What’s your biggest event or championship win?
Melges Worlds in 1998 or the Tour de France a Voile 2000.

Any other notable regattas you’d like to mention?
The Admiral's Cup in 1997 aboard Bradamante was pretty special when we finished as top boat.

Where did you grow up?
Christchurch, Dorset.

What job do you do?
Professional yachtsman in association with North Sails.

If you weren’t doing the job you are, what would you like to be doing instead?
Sports commentator or Director of Rugby at a well funded premiership outfit.

What other sports do you do outside sailing?
Skiing, coach rugby, visit the gym for punishment.

Any other hobbies or interests?
The kids are my main source of entertainment.

Favorite method of relaxing?
Time with the family in the sun or up a mountain.

Favorite bar or pub?
Yeti Bar, Serre Chevalier, France.

What inspired you to take up sailing?
Mum and Dad were inspirational as was watching the 1971 Fastnet start from the end of Yarmouth pier.

Where was your first sailing club?
Christchurch Sailing Club.

Which class did you first race in?
Avon or West Wight Scow.

How did you buy your first boat?
Paper round money and savings.

Have you ever used a coach and who were they?
I have limited experience with coaches, when I was sailing the Soling with Glyn, Bill Edgerton was pretty involved. From a big boat perspective I think Andreas Josenhans from North PRG has a lot to offer.

What professional links do you have to the sport?
I work for North Sails UK looking after the Grand Prix department.

What’s your most memorable moment in sailing?
Rounding Portland Bill in a real foam up only 50 yards from the beach with my Dad and Mum when cruising has stuck in the memory, as has winning the Melges 24 Worlds in 1998.

What’s your biggest remaining goal in sailing?
To continue learning and win the Volvo Ocean Race with Tyco.

How much time do you spend on the water each week?
Varies but some months I may sail as many as 26 days.

Who are your sailing heroes and why?
Glyn Charles and John Merricks I regard as heroes because of what they achieved, but more so for the spirit they showed and the way in which they conducted themselves. Rodney Pattison was a childhood sailing hero.

What is the best excuse you’ve ever made for a poor performance in a race?
Lack of talent.

What’s your favorite sailing venue and why?
Western Solent and Christchurch Bay. Familiarity and superb sailing.

What’s the single thing that could most improve the running of championship regattas?
Shorter courses and more races.

What’s your greatest strength in sailing?
Being a team player.

What’s your greatest weakness in sailing?
Light weather.

What’s the single most important piece of advice you could give to younger sailors?
Make sure when you get into the boat that your main aim is to enjoy yourself.

Would you rather sail with your friends - or with someone like Russell Coutts?
No contest, I would sail with my mates.

Who do you think are the best sailors in Britain?
All of our Olympic medallists are obviously on top of their game at the present. Adrian Stead is producing consistently impressive results.

Who’s the best sailor in the world?
James Stagg without question.

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