December 12, 2007
by Mean Machine Sailing Team
12 Dec |
0 comments
Q: What’s more important to MM: confidence or efficiency?
PDR: Efficiency is important (shorter road to success). I hate situations where you clearly can see that you’re just inventing the wheel again. It happens now and then on our boat as well and has led (even this year) to serious talks with certain crewmembers. Not being efficient is a sign of lacking confidence and can make you lose races (such as in the King’s Cup in Spain).
Q: How do you keep the core team of MM sailors together? How do they feel about doing other projects and then coming back to the team?
PDR: By having a well-oiled and organized set-up, plus projects that never are compromised and people are proud to be part of the MM team; even professional sailors. For them, being a member of the MM team is a plus on their CV.
Q: Now some time has passed, why do you think the VOR project didn’t go ahead?
PDR: At the end of the day, I think that the ROI of a VOR project is too low for sponsors. For instance, 10 years ago a well-funded VOR project cost less than 7 million Euros. Today one has to spend 3 times that amount of money. I would not be surprised if this time round it will be the last one. With only 6 entries VOR is slowly becoming a non-event.
Q: Is the Volvo Ocean Race a thorn in your side? Would you give it another try?
PDR: With hindsight it would have been better to spend the VOR money on building a new 2007 TP52. I can say for certain that there won’t be any more attempts there.
Q: What are you going to surprise us with next?
PDR: No surprises (yet!).
Q: What do you like most about your team?
PDR: I’d say the dedication – full dedication of the whole team, of each and every member. Sailing team, shore team…everyone.
Q: A while ago you said you had retired from professional life. Have you gone back since, or do you have any intention of doing so? Some say ‘once a businessman, always a businessman…’ Would you say that’s true?
PDR: I still have my investments going, but I am running them pretty efficiently. Apart from that my focus is sailing, because by getting older time is running out!
Q: What regatta, Circuit or Class that you are not involved in attracts your attention in a positive way?
PDR: America’s Cup. It would be fun to be part of an AC Team.
Q: With new classes gaining force, are there any that you think may be any classes that are on their way out?
PDR: Certainly IMS is dead and I’m happy for that. IRC is alive, but I hope only for the Club racer. International Grand Prix sailing has to be done in OD’s or Box Rule classes. Can you imagine a Formula One circuit on a handicap system? …Alonso winning on handicap in a Seat, finishing one hour later than the real Formula One car taking line honours?
Q: The other day I was asked what Peter de Ridder was like, and if he was accessible person. Are you aware that you’re a well-known person in Spain?
PDR: I’ve slowly started to realise that, and…I like it!
Q: What effect has having a high profile in the world of sport had on your personal and professional life?
PDR: Like most people I like to be on the “front page” now and then. Whatever I undertake, it has to be successful. It’s sailing now, so having a kind of high profile in sailing means that I’ve achieved my goal of being successful in sailing. From now on it’s important to stay at the top.
Q: What achievements off the water are you most proud of? What achievements of your team are you most proud of?
PDR: To have 4 great kids, who, no matter what was happening in my private life, were standing next to me.
As far as the team is concerned: that we stay together as a team for better or for worse.
Q: How has Mean Machine evolved over the last two decades?
PDR: Biggest change over time is that the MM platform got more professional and better organized with delegated responsibilities for different areas of attention.
Q: Sailing and finance – in each field what’s more important: money or power?
PDR: Money = power
Q: You’ve spent many years in the world of competitive sailing, with many successes and some defeats. Which was the sweetest victory, the bitterest defeat, or the most memorable race?
PDR: Sweetest victory: probably our 2006 MedCup win. Bitterest defeat: Losing the 2004 Farr40 Worlds in San Francisco. Most memorable race: Windy race in Porto Cervo 2007: Again, I think we sailed the perfect race.
Q: During regattas the public perceive Peter de Ridder as a very discreet character. Why do you think this is?
PDR: I’m not really sure whether I am so discreet. It’s how people perceive me and it’s the way I want them to, because it is instrumental and beneficial for the goals I try to achieve.
Q: Pick 3 words to describe the MM Afterguard and their personalities – Ray, Tom, Jules and Dirk. What role does Joe Allen play on your team?
PDR:
Ray: Talented, Brilliant, Team player
Tom: Laid back, Experienced, Humour
Jules: Talented, Dedicated, Balanced
Dirk: Talented, Drive, Focussed
Joe: Keeps the team (spirit) together.
Q: Now pick three words to describe yourself… who is Peter de Ridder?
PDR: Passionate, Hate to lose, Loves to sit together with the Team and enjoy life.
Q: Is a MM get-together the same without a glass of Limoncello and some singing?
PDR: There are some traditions one has to respect. One of them is Limoncello and the MM band playing/singing.
Q: When do you think Peter de Ridder will hang up his sailing shoes?
PDR: The day I die…
