FIRST DAY LEADER ROB SMITH SPEAKS WITH FI BROWN

FB – So what was it like out there today Rob?
RS – It’s quite a radical place I would say! I think the whole event is going to be snakes and ladders. Today we were very very fortunate because we had a strategy, which for about 11 or 12 minutes looked horrible but then started to look good. You’ve got to sit there and look at everyone else thinking they look miles and miles ahead of you but then towards the end of the beat the strategy comes good and suddenly we were round the first boy fourth in both races. In the first race we were second and in the second race we finished fifth.

FB – Did you know that Johannessen, who crossed the line first this morning, was OCS?
RS – Was he! Bloody hell! Well we can go home now as the regatta can’t get any better than this for us, it can only get worse! To be honest we were very lucky. There are quite a few professional teams out there and we’re not. We’re four geriatrics on the boat.

FB – What’s the average age?
RS – Well over 40 although right now it feels more like 70.

FB – So how much preparation have you done for this event?
RS – None at all. Paul had a very serious back operation so he’s been out for best part of 18 months, Chris hasn’t sailed for 15 months and Nick Ide has only done a couple of weekends all year so we haven’t done any practise at all. We’ve just turned up raw but the guys are very bright lads so it helps me a lot.

FB – Who do you think is in the frame to win the event?
RS – It’s too early to choose. I think the works teams including Soromap, P&P and Jamie Lee will come through but it’s very early days and far too early to call anything.

FB – Thanks for speaking to us Rob. We’ll leave you to go off and break the news of your win in the first race to the rest of the crew.