Bob: What brought you to the Fifteen fleet?
Chris: I had been sailing Fireballs with Keith Alridge for a number of years. Keith sold the boat and I needed a ride. Basil Ellis talked me into sailing a FF with him a couple of times. I then found a crew slot with John Dingley and have been in the fleet ever since.
Bob: Tell me about your sailing history
Chris: I started sailing in a Graduate, on the river in Chippenham at the age of 5. We moved to Poole and we joined Poole YC. Dad built a Mirror dinghy which we sailed for a few years. We then moved into a Fireball at Poole YC. I joined the Army and bought a laser. I was also part of the Army sailing team in Contessa 32s and a Nicolson 55. On my return to Poole, 14 yrs later, I went back to a Fireball, crewing for Dad but at Parkstone YC. My Dad gave up sailing and I continued to sail Fireballs before switching to FFs some 18 yrs ago.
Bob: What has been your best sailing experience to date?
Chris: Winning Poole Week in a Fireball and winning Poole Week in a FF. I've been lucky to sail with some great people.
Bob: What has been your worst sailing experience to date?
Chris: Falling overboard in the Baltic at 1am dressed only in my boxer shorts!
Bob: What is the best boat you have sailed?
Chris: Got to be the Fireball on a 3 sail reach, flat out, wind 20 knots, (as much as I love Fifteens).
Bob: Upwind or Downwind?
Chris: Upwind. No pain, no gain. Hiking is great.
Bob: Symmetrical or Asymmetrical?
Chris: Symmetrical ... never sailed anything else.
Bob: Light or strong winds?
Chris: Light is sh— so windy for me
Bob: Your favourite music genre?
Chris: 70s, all sorts
Bob: Chinese or Indian?
Chris: Chinese
Bob: And finally, Football or Rugby ?
Chris: Football, having a son who played pro and semi pro, has to be