'Chips' Howarth profile

Originally from Bolton, the former 470 dinghy sailor now concentrates his time on work, gets very excited about the developments of their new carbon masts, and tries to do as much sailing as his spare time allows. He has recently bought a Musto Skiff and when he isn't playing around in the Solent, can be found practising for the Fireball Nationals.

What’s your date of birth?
10 March 1972.

Where were you born?
Bolton.

At what age did you start sailing?
I was six.

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

Where was your first sailing club?
Bolton SC

Which class did you first race in?
Cadet.

How did you buy your first boat?
I earned the money peeling a lot of potatoes.

What was your first regatta win?
The 1984 Bolton SC Regatta Day in a Cadet.

What’s your biggest event or championship win?
1995 Enterprise worlds and the Endeavour Trophy 1994.

Any other notable regattas that you have taken part in you'd like to mention?
Won the Laser 4000 Nationals and the European Cup 1998 and twice won the Enterprise Nationals.

Which coaches do you use if any?
I have used many valuable coaches over the years.

Do you have any professional links to sailing?
Yes I work in the trade and I coach the 29er Youth Squad.

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

Which other sports do you take part in?
Cycling and swimming.

Do you have other hobbies or interests outside of sailing?
Being with Oswald my dog and listening to cricket.

How do you like to relax?
I love to walk the dog (to the pub).

Do you have a favourite bar, pub or restaurant?
The Sussex Brewery in Emsworth.

Tell us about your most memorable sailing moment...
Losing my trousers at the Enterprise Worlds in South Africa.

What’s your biggest remaining goal in sailing?
To win the Emsworth Picnic Boat World Championships.

How much time do you spend on the water each week?
Between zero to four days a week.

Who are your sponsors?
Presently its Holt, Gul and some lottery funding.

What is the best excuse you have ever given for a poor performance in a race?
I drank more than anyone else.

Do you have a favourite sailing venue and what makes it a great place to sail?
Durban in South Africa.

What’s the single thing that could most improve the running of regattas?
More professional race management.

What is your greatest strength in sailing?
Race strategy.

What is your greatest weakness in sailing?
I get too wound up sometimes.

What’s the single most important piece of advice you could give to younger sailors?
Wear a condom.

Who do you think are the best sailors in Britain?
Jo Glanfield.

Who do you rate as the best sailor in the world?
Dennis Conner for his all-round package.

====================================================

If you're reading this and you think madforsailing should be profiling someone you know ...

madforsailing want to profile all the top sailors - but we may be struggling to find some of them! If you'd like to tell us about someone you know, just click here and send us an email address or a phone number.