Interview with Skipper Nick Maloney
With the Extreme Sailing Series 2014 hitting the high seas in Singapore in just a few days, we got inside the head of Team Aberdeen Singapore Skipper, Nick Moloney, who will partner two local sailors in the upcoming comp.
A native Australian, Nick has circumnavigated the globe thrice and set a new record at the 2002 Route Du Rhum – the largest solo race in the world, but it has not all been smooth sailing.
Describe yourself for us in five words
Focused, Determined, Caring, Honest and Funny
Best sailing triumph to date
Winning the largest Solo race in the world (the 2002 Route du Rhum, from France to Guadeloupe). I had almost drowned on this course 3 years earlier so was dealing with some very noisy ghosts in my head. I just wanted to finish that race to prove to myself that I could sail across the Atlantic solo. That particular edition of the race is very well remembered by a huge storm that decimated the fleet. I led my division from the beginning and won the race setting a new course record along the way. Given the struggles that I faced in the storm and throughout the duration, both physically and emotionally, I felt that this was my great personal victory. There were so many factors involved. It was extremely difficult.
What is it with you nutbags who want to sail solo around the world? What’s the driver?
Yes, there is no denying that solo sailing is crazy. I still struggle with the whole concept. It is the loneliness that really troubles me. The reason why I originally quested toward solo sailing was that it intrigued me. I was in awe of sailors who possessed the courage, personal management and sailing skills required to sail a large yacht across an Ocean solo. I wanted to find out if I had, or could develop the necessary skills to make such a passage and to be competitive in that discipline under a race format.
What is your mantra (or single transcending thought) that gets you by when sailing solo?
‘Be sure to sleep and eat’. I spent many years working with Boston University on sleep deprivation as it is a vital part of personal management onboard the boat. The effect that sleep deprivation has on decision-making processes makes sleep possibly one of your largest concerns in regards to safety and performance. I generally sleep for 3-4 hours every day in accumulated 20 minute naps.
Food is also very important for strength and energy and I spent a very long time working with Qinetiq in the UK where they continually tested the depletion of my body whist I was at sea racing under different climate and stress circumstances. They developed my dietary intake in order to reduce loss of power that my body could generate after having been at sea for close to 3 months.
3 fears of a (clearly) brave man
1) I always fear for my children and pray that they will have long, healthy and happy lives
2) Snakes (yes, snakes freak me out)
3) Dense fog at sea
What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you on a boat?
I am not really sure. I have had a few funny experiences. Some may remember that in 1995 Americas Cup our yacht OneAustralia broke up and sank off San Diego. The next day we raced our spare boat and to lighten the mood we started the race wearing life jackets. The joke almost backfired on us as we quickly discovered that we could not physically execute our techniques whilst wearing the bulky flotation devices. Mine became caught in a winch and tore off my body, It was funny once we had completed and won the race but at the time it could have really hampered our performance.
A little known training drill to prepare for the ESS?
Visualization, running through all of the mental processing of the complete race day from pre start through to play book maneuvers. This is something that I feel I am very good at and it helps me greatly with my preparation.
What you will do right after you finish this race?
Head back to Hong Kong and sleep for two days. No, I will skipper the Team Aberdeen Singapore boat with some local sailors, so I’ll have team and project meetings in Singapore for two days after the event and then back to Hong Kong planning and training for the next big race.
Do Skippers have groupies? If so, what would you like to say to yours?
Ha! In France we certainly have active fans. I was actually hounded in Paris airport last Monday by 3 guys who have been active career followers. What would I like to say to them? I hope that the experiences that I have shared with them have made them happy, not disappointed?
What’s your advice for spectators in town for ESS?
Let go, enjoy the atmosphere, choose a favorite team and cheer for them. It is really motivating for the sailors to hear the crowd get into the racing and make some noise.
2 blinding differences between life in Torquay & Honkers?
In Torquay the town is so small that we only have 3 sets of traffic lights. Being a country town with very little light or general pollution, the night sky’s and stars are incredible! And the surf in Torquay is pretty insane! I know that’s 3 but hey, Torquay is a pretty amazing place.
Favourite Asian food
Noodles
Favourite place to eat in Singapore
Anywhere funky with good music and creative scenery. I like places that are not mainstream. The type of place where a local artist would eat and a place that has great organic fresh food.
Thanks Nick and all the best for the series!
