Nick Craig

Originally posted by iGRF Originally posted by Clive Evans I can categorically state that Ben would get 8 firsts assuming the mast he was given didnt break, the sails shread or someone forgot to empty the hull of the waste from when it was used at Glastonbury in the summer It is a very tricky spot to sail but Ben has olympic medals from Savannah, sydney harbour, Athens, qingdao container terminal and Weymouth so I think he can handle the crouch/roach combination So what you're saying then he wouldn't screw up the entire event get trashed in almost every race then have his ass saved by a bit of team racing by a mate in the medal race then?

Originally posted by E.J. Of all the topics to use in order to provoke responses; Ben Ainslies lack of sailing ability is pretty weak. Although the attempt itself is at least noteworthy, well done.

Nick is a great sailor and a great guy too. I think he may have captained his team at Cambridge too, so brains too!
I heard or read that when his Dad died young, he used it as a cue to live each day to the max and do as much sailing as he could. I suspect an accommodating wife helps too!
I would say that a) Alan R will be a big key to this year's dominance - multiple emphatic 200 champion crew - 200s have been one of the hottest national fleetsin the last decade IMO b) I don't think the Endeavour is what it was 10y ago - not everyone turns up, many go for a laugh with a mate c) The sailing itself is, I hear, quite different i.e. very tidal, short races, odd boats, so having plenty of goes at it / experience of that very environment will be a big advantage.  c) Nick had a year or two in Finns, and I think got mid fleet internationally a few times. Bear in mind that he had been dominant in the OK before that, which is a very similar boat technically. I think he generally gets beaten in the Phants by Charlie Cumbley and Matt Howard who were, in their day top 25% in the Finn at a fair few international champs, which is another level up in quality.
Bear in mind that the majority of the sailors in olympic class competition are school or university age, combining training with study - some with full time work. Its not all full time athletes, and the top few do anything but hemorrhage cash whilst chasing that dream.
But I certainly feel that Nick's success also comes down to his versatility - he spreads himself around a lot of classes - whereas a lot of the best olympic guys are more one trick ponies - although they generally adapt quickly if they do try other stuff.

I think it's pretty even in the phantoms Dan. nick has been nat champ beating Charlie and also Jim hunt and a few other quite useful helms at the same time. not ever seen matt Howard in a phantom but that's not to say he hasn't,I may have just missed it.

nick isn't afraid to go to smaller opens too and it is appreciated by the locals especially as previously mentioned about his willingness to impart knowledge to others

Edited by maxibuddah - 14 Oct 13 at 2:16pm

Originally posted by iGRF I bet that race with the tide is tactical as hell and one thing they don't teach Olympians very well (at least not in the bit I know about)is tactical and tidal stuff.