Find out about Northern Ireland’s past NI Olympians and NI Paralympians
Northern Ireland Olympians
When did you start sailing?
I started sailing in 1957. My first boat was a pre (2nd) world war Larne Sharpie. It was a hard chine single hander with a stayed mast and single red sail. By 1960 I was sailing my own home built GP14.
What is your favourite boat to sail?
Well, I’ve never been without a GP14 since 1960, but that’s more about the level of competition in the class and, the fact it is suitable for a mixed crew and the fellowship within the class. I’ve always admired how seaworthy the Finn is although it requires more physique to sail today than when the masts were wooden when I was sailing them. I’ve always thought the 505 was a beautiful boat both to look at and to sail. I also loved team racing in Fireflies.
What have been career highlights?
- My first (GP14) Championship win in 1964
- Two full Blues from Queens University for sailing
- Helmsman’s Championship of Ireland 1967
- Irish Olympic sailing team 1972 (crewed on the Dragon as a reserve).
- First GP14 Championship of Ireland win, sailing with my wife Ann.
- Being part of the team organising the 1993 Optimist European Championships and 1997 Optimist World Championship in Northern Ireland
- Acting as an International Measurer for the Optimist Class and as a member of the IODA executive committee over many years
- 3rd place in the 2011 GP14 World Championship in Sri Lanka
Do you still sail now? If so, what?
Yes, I still race my GP14 regularly and will for as long as I can. I occasionally sail larger cruising boats in warmer climates.
If you could give advice to new people in the sport/youth, what would it be?
Go for it! If you’re young enough start in Optimists – that’s where almost every Olympic sailor has started. Sail as much as you can in as many different Classes as you can but pick one to be your main Class to measure your ability. If you go to university, get into team racing. It’s a sport for life and the friends you make sailing will be lifelong friends.
When did you start sailing?
In 1968 (9 years old) crewing in a cadet in Ballyholme Yacht club
What is your favourite boat to sail?
Laser Class (now the ILCA 7). I got my first one in 1977 and I am still sailing them.
What have been career highlights?
I still remember getting 3rd overall at the Cadet Ulster Championships at EDYC in 1971 and thinking that maybe this sport might be for me.
I am now a rules adviser for various countries and 6 of the sailors I work with have finished 4th at the Olympics and 6 have got silver medals.
The fourth places are tough to take but are still fantastic results and of course everyone is happy when they get a medal of whatever the colour
It will be great to see someone from the NI Sailing Team competing at the games with a medal chance. If they make it and I am supporting them that would be a career highlight.
Do you still sail now? If so, what?
I still sail an ILCA 7 but I don’t get getting sailing very much because of my job as a Race Official.
If you could give advice to new people in the sport/youth, what would it be?
Become a good athlete by participating in as many sports as possible. Go sailing with your friends and coach each other, as the quicker you make them the better you will become.
When did you start sailing?
My mum had made a tiny wooden sailing boat from a kit (called a Foile) for my sister and it was handed down to me when I was about 6. It actually looked like a boat and not a floating matchbox!
What is your favourite boat to sail?
The Flying Dutchman. Crewing on a trapeze = power and adrenaline. Although all boats that start with the word “Flying” are good, as I currently enjoy my sailing in a Flying Fifteen.
What have been career highlights?
Winning the 5th race in the 1988 Olympics (crewing for David Wilkins) and winning the ISA Champions Cup with Stephen Kane in 2018.
Do you still sail now? If so, what?
Yes, Flying Fifteens and RS400’s. I sail both with Stephen Kane, out of Strangford Lough YC and Royal North of Ireland YC.
If you could give advice to new people in the sport/youth, what would it be?
I always remember a story I heard on a race training course when I was a teenager about a Laser sailor who magically improved his results by learning to balance on 2 legs of a chair. Itsounds crazy, but instinctive and reactive balance is essential for winning races in a dinghy!
When did you start sailing?
When I was 9 years old. I sailed a Mirror Dinghy with my sister at Ballyholme Yacht Club.
What is your favourite boat to sail?
A TF10. (When it stays together!)
What have been career highlights?
Successfully reaching the Olympic Games in 2012, sailing across the Atlantic Ocean on a 100-footer and setting the record for the fastest sail around Barbados.
Do you still sail now? If so, what?
Yes. I’m captain on a foiling Mod 70 called Snowflake and I sail on a Cape 31 called M2. I have an ILCA, but I mostly wing now.
If you could give advice to new people in the sport/youth, what would it be?
If you want to be a great dinghy sailor, it’s all about time on the water. If you want to sail big boats, you don’t need to be the best sailor, but it helps to be reliable, on time and polite.
Pick engineering, hydraulics or electrical work and you’ll be on some of the best boats in the world.
When did you start sailing?
I started sailing at the age of 5-6 Years of age with my dad and family. I then slowly moved to sailing on my own at the club when I was 8, sailing optimists and Mirror Dinghies.
What is your favourite boat to sail?
My favourite boat to sail has to be the Moth, however for racing there is nothing beats the 49er!
What have been career highlights?
My career Highlights would be Qualifying for both 2012 and 2016 Olympics as well as winning the Princess Sophia Regatta (arguably the biggest Olympic class regatta in the world).
We didn’t just win, we dominated the regatta and had it pretty much won before the medal race.
Do you still sail now? If so, what?
I don’t get much time to sail now as I have a young family. I have 2 girls Nona and Ella, so they take up my time. I love going wing foiling as its time efficient and it keeps me learning.
I coach and sail professionally, so that keeps me sailing on various boats from 20 foot to 100 foot.
If you could give advice to new people in the sport/youth, what would it be?
Get on the water as much as possible. This could be crewing, helming or whatever and just have fun and try to learn something new. If you have fun, you sail more, if you sail more, you get better and that’s the simple way of getting good! Also, don’t be afraid to dream and go after your goals.
It could be a club regatta, a national title, Olympic medal, whatever you like… have a goal and start getting after it.
Northern Ireland Paralympians
Olympians Boat Classes
The Olympic classes at the Paris 2024 Games included:
Men’s One Person Dinghy: ILCA 7, previously known as the Laser
Women’s One Person Dinghy: ILCA 6, previously known as the Laser Radial
Men’s Skiff: 49er
Women’s Skiff: 49erFX
Men’s Kite: Formula Kite Class
Women’s Kite: Formula Kite Class
Men’s Windsurfing: iQFOiL
Women’s Windsurfing: iQFOiL
Mixed Dinghy: 470
Mixed Multihull: Nacra 17
You can find more about these different classes by visiting the World Sailing website here World Sailing – Olympic Sailing.
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