Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:00:00 UTC
Will Best, part of the Ericsson Racing Team shore crew in 2005-06, has his heart set on sailing in the next Volvo
Our ‘young guns’ series takes a look at the aspiring young sailors who want to be the next generation of Volvo Ocean racers. These are the people who, in the summer months are out on the water, racing as much as they can, and, in the cold dark winter days, are found working tirelessly in boatyards. The reason? Their love of sailing and their desire to make it as professional sailors. Simon Fisher proved it is possible when he was appointed navigator of ABN AMRO TWO. Peter Greenhalgh wants to follow in his brother’s footsteps, and now, Will Best, former shore crew of Ericsson Racing team, makes his claim....
Will Best
To any sailor who has experienced offshore sailing, the sight of a Volvo Open 70 in full flight makes the hair on the back of your neck prickle, but, not appreciated by many people, is the huge amount of work that goes into the preparation of these boats in order to go out and race. The shore crews often work day and night to make sure that their team’s boat is in top shape.
Will Best (29) is a native of Wales and he was part of the Ericsson Racing Team shore crew for the last Volvo. His worth to the team was all too evident when the sailing team’s navigator Steve Hayles was taken ill at the last minute before the Cape Town in-port race and Will stepped in to take his place.
Will, an electronics expert with considerable high-level yacht racing experience was involved in the Ericsson project from day one. He was in charge of the electronics installations on Pirates of the Caribbean as well.
“I've always wanted to sail around the world,” he says. “I think that it is still such a great adventure and that still has a lot to do with it for me. Most of my offshore experience hasn't had the same intensity as the Volvo, which is probably why I enjoyed the last race so much. The Volvo is the pinnacle of offshore racing in my eyes. The boats are up to the minute in every way. Recently I was looking at Assa Abloy, the Volvo 60 which was second in the 2000-2001 race, and I realised then how much things can change in just four years.
“Being surrounded with the latest technology and people with masses of experience is bound to up anyone's game for sure. I think sailing a first Volvo has started the ball rolling for many successful careers, it is a fantastic achievement.”
If his chosen career path had not been sailing, then Will would still have been at sea. “I think being a fisherman would be a good job, I love fishing and I feel very much at home at sea,” he says. When he’s not tinkering with high-tech boats, Will is likely to be found skiing in the winter months with his partner Fiona, but, in the summer months he hot-foots it back to west Wales and gets out his rod and line.
Long periods away from home and family, living out of a suitcase and being under pressure to get work done is a stressful business and Will’s sense of humour helps him, and those around him, get the job done. Ask him what he’s good and bad at and his sense of humour is evident:
“I have a huge amount of experience in being told off,” he laughs, “But, mostly, I am good at turning instruments off and on again. Looking blankly at a computer screen is another one of my fortes,” he adds. “I am very bad at doing what I'm told: keeping in touch with friends and family for example. Unfortunately the list is endless!”
Will Best was talking to Louay Habib, editor of www.bangthecorner.com