Edward Stevens - a madforsailing profile

Those of you who have not tripped across Edward at an open meeting, qualifier or national championships, can be forgiven for not knowing that he is the best race support RIB driver in Britain - and possibly the world. A man who in the past has lifted the windward mark and moved it before the race officer has noted the windshift. A man who can fix almost all known ailments of boat engines with a Leatherman and mole-grips. A worker and one of the few people who will never go home until the job is done. If you were drowning this is the guy you would want to come and fish you out.

Edward is now in charge of all motorboat activity for GBR Challenge and it’s as well to remember that right now they own more motor boats than yachts.

What is your date of birth?
10 August 1969

Where were you born?
Slough

At what age did you start sailing?
Six years old

What inspired you to take up sailing?
Family started sailing

Where was your first sailing club?
Datchet water

Which class did you first race in?
Mirror

How did you buy your first boat?
Parents did

What was your first regatta win?
Won the golden prop at Datchet. A boat handling competition for the rescue/safety boat people at Datchet at about 17, and then got banned from future years so that the others would have a chance to win.

What is your biggest event or championship win?
Don't think I have won one, but from the organising side any successful regatta with a full race programme on schedule, good social and no cock-ups is a win

Any other notable regattas that you have taken part in that you would like to mention?
I have been involved on the water in the organisation in the last four Olympic trials (I'm not that old really). The last race of the 1992 Flying Dutchman trials in Cadiz has to have been one of the most exciting with a tacking duel between Ado Stead/Pete Allam and Roger Tushingham/Nick Powell in 20+ knots of breeze.

While running the British team training facility for the 96 games in the Savannah Yacht Club, being asked to help run the US windsurfing trials in the mark boat with the guys that were going to run that course for the Olympics. I think there were about 80 people per course on the water

The 1998 ISAF worlds in Dubai running the J22 course with Tony Lockett, the only mark boat I have used that could get down the mile length of the course in about 57 seconds...

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