Sailing with Matt Cornwell

Dan Williams

What’s the first memory you have of being on the water?

The first time I remember being in a sailing boat was with my grandad in his little dinghy in Brancaster when I couldn’t have been much more than 8. And then growing up in Lymington, we were always all messing around on the water, usually with the 9th Lymington Sea Scouts or at the Salterns Sailing Club. The first time I raced on a yacht at 14 was the big turning point though. Winning a Thursday night race on a 36 footer called Rulor 2 with a team of great local sailors left an impression on me that changed the course of my life really. Being the youngest they threw me on the bow of course, and 3 decades later I’m still doing it.

You’ve sailed in some of the world’s biggest races - what’s been your most unforgettable moment?

I’ve been fortunate enough to have had many memorable moments in yacht racing, but probably my most unforgettable was my first ever race in the Americas Cup with GBR Challenge in New Zealand for the 2003 Cup. We took on the iconic Stars and Stripes in race 1, who had a team full of sailing legends I had grown up reading about, so to be lining up against them as equals was a proud moment. Representing the UK at the top of our sport with a great young, up and coming team was the realisation of many of my dreams. Winning the TP52 World Championship last year was a good recent one too. We were team that went from propping up the table to leading the 52 Super Series in 2 years so it was great to be part of that process.

What’s the most challenging conditions you’ve ever sailed in - and what got you through it?

The most challenging conditions I’ve ever sailed in was undoubtedly the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Race. In a race marred by tragedy, the wind blew over 60 knots for 8 hours, peaking at 75 on the yacht I was on, a 46 foot yacht called Aera. We saw waves the likes of which I have never seen again and hope never to see, but some very key decisions by our owner and skipper, plus a boat and team that held up well in those conditions, saw us through to the finish.

What’s one piece of gear you never sail without?

A decent lightweight smock is my go to peace of kit. Doing the bow isn’t a job for people who like to stay dry or stay sat in the cockpit, so good waterproof and dynamic gear is essential! A good watch, a cap and my climbing harness are also my friends when racing.

If you weren’t a sailor, what would you be doing instead?

If I wasn’t a sailor and I could chose anything, I would be a professional surfer. We thalassophytes can’t stray to far from the ocean! The bug for surfing is pretty addictive and I’ve definitely got it.