5 Minutes in the Bar

Bob Alexander initiated "5 minutes at the bar" in 2019 to find out what brings people to our fleet, what makes them tick, and what are their likes and dislikes – the fleet’s answer to Desert Island Discs if you will. We are re-launching this initiative as a great way for members new and old to get to know each other better. Bob will still be out with his pen but we also want to start a chain reaction – with interviewees becoming interviewers so that we can collect stories and pictures of the whole fleet as quickly as possible. Bob has provided the following guidance to help in conducting interviews:

The questions asked in the past provide an excellent start point but feel free to modify
The interviews generally do not take part at the bar, distributing questions by email is easier
Questions should be linked to sailing and the Club. Avoid personal questions about family, politics or religion, or any other contentious issues
You’ll need to get a picture of your subject (ideally at the bar)
Be careful not to included anything that may embarrass or offend at any time in the future

March 11, 2025

5 minutes in the bar... with Sara Briscoe

Sara is one of the bigger characters in the fleet has been our social secretary for the past few years, organising Prizegiving Dinners and deck parties highly effectively. I had not realised until reading her responses quite how large and diverse the partying (and sailing) experience is that Sara brings to us! She's also one of our World Champions - being the current holder of the Silver Fleet World Championship. Fingers crossed that this is retained after Weymouth 2025. Read on to find out more...

March 09, 2025

5 minutes in the bar... with Ian Linder

Yet another Fireballer turned Fifteener, Ian has been sailing a Fifteen at Poole Week for 20 years (after sailing - and winning - it in a Fireball previously). He and Kim eventually bit the bullet and half moved to Poole a few years ago so they are able to race at the weekend - and have since won several trophies. Rumour has it Ian might be able to free up his Wednesdays soon - watch this space, and read on to learn more

March 06, 2025

5 minutes in the bar... with Crispin Read-Wilson

Yet another Fireball sailor turned to Flying Fifteens - but a fair bit earlier than 'the syndicate'. I first heard of Crispin when he won the Fireball Worlds (read more below) so it is a privilege to sail vaguely near him in Poole Harbour. A mutual friend assured me that Crispin used to sail his Fireball barefoot but Crispin has sent a photo to show this was not the the case. Read on to learn more of Crispin's secrets...

February 18, 2025

5 minutes in the bar... with Frances Wilkins

Frances (with David) switched to sailing Flying Fifteens a couple of years ago. She always seems to have a smile on her face, which can be a very effective mask for her steely determination on the water. One thing she doesn't mention below is that she's an avid follower of the fleet on Facebook - almost invariably the first one to react when a new race report is posted. Read on to see what secrets she has to share...

February 17, 2025

5 minutes in the bar... with Paul Tasker

Paul has been a regular Flying Fifteen crew (mainly for Mike Clapp) for a few years - seemingly using this an an escape from sailing his ILCA! From his responses below it is clear that he has a more diverse 'boat' experience than anyone else I am aware of. Perhaps this'll be useful if he and Mike end up diving into the back of a big wave one day. Read on to find out what I am talking about...

February 17, 2025

5 minutes in the bar... with Kim Linder

Kim (with Ian) has been coming to Poole Week for aeons and joined the Flying Fifteen fleet fully a few years ago after getting into the Poole property market. She obviously knows what she's doing as their boat goes annoyingly fast and they have been notching up series wins. Kim is also a force of nature when it come organising the slipway both for launching and recovery, whether it's for club races or regional championships. Hopefully she'll sort out Ian's work-life balance soon and they'll be racing Wednesdays as well. Read on to learn a little bit more about Kim...