Mark Nicholson - a madforsailing profile

Also known as Mad Jack, read and understand

What is your date of birth? 17th September 1963

Where were you born?
Ashford, Middlesex.

At what age did you start sailing?
About four or five.

What inspired you to take up sailing?
My father inspired my elder brothers and sister to sail and I just tagged along. Sadly, my dad put me off for a year by capsizing our Merlin in very little wind, bless him! Latterly, my best mate Botty took up sailing which renewed my interest.

Where was your first sailing club?
Stock Exchange (Thorpe) Sailing Club, which now resides under the M3 and was reincarnated as Thorpe Park.

Which class did you first race in?
Either Merlin Rocket or National 12, but first actually sailed in an old GP14.

How did you buy your first boat?
Mum and dad bought a Fly dinghy for very little money.

What was your first regatta win?
The Junior trophy at Queen Mary when I was 15. I sailed my heavy old £20 British Moth to a glorious victory against other kids in Lasers. I remember the local hotshot was Mark Woods who called me something unrepeatable (began with W) as I rounded the first weather mark just behind him.

What's your biggest event or championship win?
I am completely humbled by the rock stars madfor sailing have interviewed. Whilst some are good mates, I cannot compare notes with them. However, I have performed quite respectably at national level in the Merlins and 14s. Sometimes even on the water too.

Any other notable regattas that you have taken part in that you would like to mention?
My first Prince Of Wales week at Poole in 1988 when it blew old boots. It was a baptism of fire. I recall starting in the first race and blew away the likes of Will Henderson and others but then came the small matter of tacking. We learned a lot that week.
San Francisco 1989 - first time there - achieved flight.
Travemunde Woche 1991 - friendly locals, schnapps and severe bicycle injury.
Melbourne 1999 - fabulous holiday, a great event ruined by taking the boat.
Mounts Bay 1998 - Crews' Union party piece called What's in Your Pants? - Charles Stanley, Andy Partington and Pete Harper with dead fish, beans etc stuffed down them - marvellous, wasn't it?

Which event will you be taking part in next?
My stag weekend, I expect! Apart from that, possibly Garda, POW is at Pwllheli (yuk!); Worlds in Bermuda (lovely!)

Do you do any sailing specific off the water training?
Strangely enough I do go to a gym, although recent sightings of me there have been rare. I try to do cardiovascular stuff but the static bike bores me stupid. Rowing is better. I do weights and work on my knees which are a weakness.

Which coaches do you use if any?
None officially, but I do ask them questions in the bar afterwards.

If you weren't doing the job you are, what would you like to be doing instead? .
Party organiser. Or perhaps I'll go to Holland and take up dyke vaulting.

Which other sports do you take part in?
I like tennis (my future wife is a pro) and skiing.

Do you have other hobbies or interests outside of sailing?
I follow rugby to see how others manage to hurt themselves. My Uncle Basil was a British Lion before World War Two so there is a family interest. Motor racing - Le Mans is great fun if you like noise and little sleep (speaking as a spectator of course).

Do you a have favourite bar, pub or restaurant?
Not as such. I'd like to think I'm a favourite of any such establishment. They all do rather well out of me.

Tell us about your most memorable sail?
San Francisco 1989. Training before the worlds and taking flight over the Saucalito Ferry's wake. Both foils clear of the water and I went into the rigging arse first.

Who are your role models?
James Hunt - great driver and lived life to the full. Paul Elvstrom - who redefined sailing.

What's your biggest remaining goal in sailing?
To win the Prince of Wales Cup. There are many other goals much smaller than that, though.

How much time do you spend on the water each week?
Not nearly enough. I am a weekend sailor, which is limited by time and suitable weather.

Who are your sponsors?
Just me.

What is the best excuse you have ever given for a poor performance in a race?
Cherche la femme..

What is the funniest thing you have either witnessed or experienced whilst sailing?
Many nose dives and crashes. My brother putting his foot through the foredeck of our Merlin after shinning up the mast and falling. Some other unrepeatable moments.

Do you have a favourite sailing venue and what makes it a great place to sail?
San Francisco. A fabulous bay with plenty of wind, a great city and a prison.

What's the single thing that could most improve the running of regattas?
Race organisation (the favourite response) which is sympathetic to those of us amateurs who want to enjoy our weekends.That means I don't get disqualified for minor indiscretions when penalty turns will do.

What is your greatest strength in sailing?
Enthusiasm.

What is your greatest weakness in sailing?
Enthusiasm for beer.

What's the single most important piece of advice you could give to younger sailors?
Enjoy yourself, strive to improve and don't let bullying parents yell at you from their RIB.

Who are your sailing heroes and why?
Many Gods. Elvstrom, Peter Scott, Alan Warren, Spud Rowsell, Phil Morrison, Patrick Blake.

If you could sail for a day with anyone of your choice who would it be and why?
Probably my dad. Sadly we lost him in December. I would have loved to have taken him out in the Solent on a warm day. Realistically - perhaps to sail with some of the lunatics I have known such as Dave Smith, John McKenna - we'd probably come last.

Who do you think are the best sailors in Britain?
Difficult choice due to the broad range of skills involved. Ian Walker - only because he said he'd set his dog on me. Our present Olympians. From years gone by: Alan Warren at his best (he's still sailing Merlins well); undoubtedly Rodney Pattisson.

Who do you rate as the best sailor in the world?
Perhaps Mr Ian Walker for his tactical astuteness and his ability to learn quickly (I refer to his Star campaign). Multi-medal winner Jochen Schumann - read what John Bertrand said of him in his book.

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

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

madfor sailing 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.