aving started sailing with Lasers, Wayfarers and National H 12s as a child, my claim to fame was coming 18th in the National Firefly Championships. In truth, only 19 boats started and one of them sank, but we had a brilliant week, sailing out of Itchenor. Me and a mate, a subsidised bar (which may have turned a blind eye to licensing laws), fish and chips, an overloaded minivan and lots of glorious sunshine – it really couldn’t have been better! After I finished school, I learned navigation
