February 15, 2008
by Mean Machine Sailing Team
15 Feb |
0 comments
Welcome back to ‘Up Close and Personal’, the place where we ask all the questions you always wanted answered and get to grips with the soul of the Mean Machine team: her crew. This month we bring you:
THE MULTI-TALENTED JONO SWAIN: PART 1 – THE MAN
It’s hard to come across as an all-round sailor as this. A Mean Machine above all; passionate about long-distance regattas, and especially the Volvo Ocean Race, this sailor is as happy among the buoys as he is in an America’s Cup.
Ladies and gentleman, we give you Jono Swain…
Jono Swain. South Africa
1. Hi Jono, first off can you tell us more about your role in the Mean Machine family?
Well, my position on the boat is trimmer.
Peter doesn’t just pick you only for your role on the boat, he’s thinking about how you’ll fit into the team. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t go for the best, but he’s conscious that as well as being good at what you do you must mesh well with the rest of the guys and understand each other well. It’s important for the team to get on, to enjoy team dinners, having a laugh and a drink together after a race.
2. How did Jono find Mean Machine, or how did MM find Jono?
It was in 2003 at the Farr 40 European Championships; they needed two trimmers and a friend of mine called me to join the team. It was a good Championship with opportunities for us to win the regatta even on the last day; we lost it by just 1 point, but at the end of the regatta Peter asked me to join the team. At the time I had another offer to join a Farr 40 Team but I liked the way Peter managed the team and I got on with the guys on the boat, so that was it.
3. Have you ever wanted to “be” anything else, or did sailing always come first?
This has been my job since 1999, when I moved to the States. It’s always been more about racing than just sailing for me. That’s why I think it’d be hard for me to end up as a Captain on some big motor yacht; if I stop racing then I’ll probably go into the marine industry, which sometimes I think is unfortunate, but I’ll keep racing as long as I can.
4. Ok, let’s get down to the sailing itself – coastal races, windward leeward, or long distance racing? Which do you prefer and why?
ALL of it!
I don’t mind doing windward-leeward on a Farr 40, coastal races on a TP52 or Volvo Ocean Races with a VO70. I guess if I have the choice I’d go for an America’s Cup Campaign or a VOR, but out of the two I would always choose the VOR, but I enjoy lots of other kinds of regattas.
5. How do you prepare for the races? Do you believe in ‘team-building’ exercises? How important is team strategy?
I haven’t really done any of those seminars or exercises. I’ve heard some stories from other VOR team members about climbing mountains and white-water rafting together, but I’ve never done any of that.
6. Sailors are notoriously superstitious – do you have any pre-race rituals or ‘lucky charms’ you take with you?
Not really. When I was younger I was more superstitious than I am now. If you’re sailing every day it’s quite difficult to sail with your favourites shorts or lucky t-shirt every time! Some people don’t like bananas on board, and things like that, but I’m not really a superstitious guy.
7. What do you do when you’re not sailing?
I am a busy man… but I love taking my bike out or going kayaking.
8. What achievements off the water are you most proud of?
A marathon I ran in South Africa – it was 89 km long. Of course I’m proud of my family.
9. Are any of your family members following in your sailing footsteps or vice versa?
My son who’s seven years old is becoming a really good sailor, but I am not pushing him too much, as he’s still really young. It’s important for him to have fun. Of course I’d like him to continue, because I think this kind of sport is great for gaining independence and for understanding our relationship with Mother Nature.
10. Pick 3 words to describe the MM afterguard:
Peter de Ridder: High level of concentration, devoted, and he’s a really generous guy
Ray Davies: great vision of the racecourse, he’s fast with decisions, and intense.
Dirk de Ridder: very focussed, great trimmer and has a good feel for the boat.
Jules Salter: good navigator, but also a good tactician
11. Now pick three words to describe yourself… who is Jono Swain?
I don’t know… probably quite focussed when I am doing a particular job and easy to get a long with, I think. I think I’ve got a good feel for a boat and its speed and how we’re going. I also have some tactical knowledge so when I’m trimming I know where we’re going.
12. A perfect sailing location, the perfect wind conditions and the perfect crew…?
Hawaii, there are good waves and it’s warm. Wind: 15-18 knots or a little bit less. As for the perfect crew: for a Volvo Ocean Race, probably the one I sailed with during the last VOR. For in port races, definitely the Mean Machine crew.
13. How does racing in regattas influence your personal or professional life – are there any principles that you can apply to other areas of your life?
It definitely teaches you a lot about team building, management, compatibility and working together.
I’m happy with my life, making a living by doing the sport I love, and there are loads of people who’d love to do the same. At the same time some people look at it and think it’s an easy job. We spend a lot of time travelling, on the road, going all over the place to hotels with our suitcases.
14. Your sweetest victory: Years ago, sailing with my Optimist when I won the Nationals in South Africa.
The bitterest defeat: Drawing at the Farr 40 World Championships in Sydney. We lost on a tiebreak.
The most memorable race: probably the America’s Cup match race in Auckland against the French with 25 knots of wind; we were terrified. I couldn’t believe it… broken mast, broken rigs – it was scary!
15. When do you think you’ll stop sailing?
I would love to carry on as long as possible. This sport isn’t like rugby or basketball – we’re lucky we carry on sailing much longer than most elite sportsmen and women.
I hope I’ll be doing this for many more years!
Part II… coming soon!
