14 Questions to … Gweneth Crook

Gweneth Crook, Snipe sailor and Secretary Western Hemisphere & Orient

– 1) Your first time on a sailing boat?

I know it was a Snipe but the exact age?? I started crewing for my Mother at about 10 years old. Then I graduated to skippering at around 12 years old with my Dad crewing for me.

– 2) Your first time on a Snipe?

Same

– 3) The most bizarre thing that happened in a regatta?

That would have to be the pigs head in Doug Nugent’s boat at a regatta at Lake Chautauqua, New York. There had been a pig roast the night before and someone thought it would be great to put the head in Doug’s snipe. What a lovely thing to find in your boat as you uncover it on a Sunday morning after a great cocktail party the night before.

– 4) What is the thing that most angers you in a race/regatta?

I would have to say it is poor sportsmanship I am also not a big fan of bad tempers and yelling.

– 5) Which is the race/regatta that you remember with the most pleasure?

Wow where do I start! There are many great memories of regattas I participated in. Highlights include the 1989 Worlds in Japan with my crew Cathy Johns, who was 6 weeks pregnant, not a big deal now but in Japan at the time it made the local newspapers. They were also surprised to see an all female crew at the Worlds. Any of the Bermuda International Invitational Race Weeks, The Canada/Bermuda Team Racing Series, The Bolde Mothers of Dismal Valley Regattas at Cuba Lake, The Snipe World Masters in Oakville, British Snipe Nationals in Abersoch, Wales and the 2000 Women’s Worlds in Trieste, Italy. Regattas that I was lucky enough to attend, but not sail in, would be The 2000 Westerns in Rosario, Argentina and this year’s Snipe World Masters in Santiago de la Ribera, Spain

– 6) And the race/regatta you would like to forget?

I don’t want to forget any of them. There was something great about each and every one.

– 7) Your “dream in the peak”? (Your sailing dream?)

I would love to charter a boat, with my friends, and sail somewhere warm and sunny with a great breeze. It would be great to do a fun big boat series say the Heineken Cup.

– 8) Sailing goals for 2013, and beyond?

Continue to work for the Snipe Class. I am hoping to attend the British Nationals in the Orkney Islands.

– 9) The most important people for you in sailing and in the Snipe?

No question my Mother and Father. If it had not been for them I may not have had the opportunity to be involved in this great worldwide family. The following is just a sample of the hundreds of people I have met along the way who have had an impact on me; Augie Diaz, Dirk Kneulman, Jerry Thompson, Earl Elms, Penny Simmons, Bill Buckles, Leo Murphy, Jimmy Belford, Stefano Longhi, Mariano Arroyo and Agustin Zabalua.

– 10) Why the Snipe?

There was no question which boat I would sail. My parents sailed Snipes. Once they took me to regattas and I experienced the great people and fun there was no other class.

– 11) Your perfect sailing venue and your perfect sailing conditions?

Anywhere where there is “Serious Sailing, Serious Fun”

– 12) Besides sailing which other sport do you practice?

There is no other sport!

– 13) Are you superstitious?

No.

– 14) Your perfect holiday?

A Snipe regatta.