Crew Members Past and Present:
Chris Willis - Skipper - ARC Europe
Pam and I got married in Scotland in 1982, just before I left the Merchant Navy to spend the next 25 years working for Fairplay (LRF). Sailing has been part of my life since I was at school, from Enterprises and GP 14’s to Toppers and Lasers, and more recently yachts. Our 2 sons Nick and Stu have both spent a lot of time on boats, and we have as a family had a number of holidays afloat here in the UK , the Caribbean and Florida.
A recent achievement I am particularly proud of is converting my brother-in-law John from power boats to sailing, although he still has a lot to learn.
We bought Fizz of Cowes in March 2008, with a view to spending the next 3 years sailing across the Atlantic, back into the Med and up to Scandinavia.
I have always wanted to sail across the Atlantic in my own boat, and in November this year we will take part in the ARC sailing Fizz from Las Palmas to St Lucia. It is going to be a major challenge for boat and crew but I have every confidence in both Fizz and the crew.
Pam Willis
I have been married to the skipper ‘Chris’ Sudoku Willis for 26 years. We have two sons, Nick and Stu.
My first date in England with Chris was sailing a Topper on a reservoir near Guildford, it was then that I realised sailing was to be on the cards in future.
We have sailed on many a craft, not all seaworthy, over the years. We had a memorable time on ‘Red Pepper’ a 21 footer co -owned with Liz and John, and spent weekends clad in matching gear....
I am now lucky enough to be part of the ‘Fizz crew’. I take an active part in all manner of work, not just in the galley, and am always ready to learn new tricks.....i.e. how to put up the cruising chute.
I look forward to supporting the ARC trip, helping to sail Fizz to Las Palmas and provision, and prepare her for the journey.
I will wave them off in Las Palmas, and arrive in St Lucia, courtesy of British Airways to welcome them in.
Looking forward to a special year 09/10.
Stuart Willis- ARC Europe Crew
I am 18 years old and have been sailing for around 6 years. I have just finished a hugely successful 2 years at A level and have come out with 3 A's, adding that to my total of 11 A,s at GCSE.
My sailing started out in Shoreham racing dinghies. I enjoyed racing lasers and on the odd occasion a laser 4000 until someone broke it, not naming any names. Since then I have raced with David, Claire and Lily in Cowes week in one of the most exciting boats available ( a Sonar !!) .
My sailing for the past year has been mainly on Fizz trying to get as much time on her as possible before we leave for the ARC.
In between sailing, school, charity work, golf, formula one driving, and helping out at the hospital i have found time to work towards sailing qualifications. This year i have had the enjoyment of completing my STCW, (which is the main course I need to work on any type of commercial yacht) my day skippers, and in September my yachtmasters. Most people see me as the brains behind team Fizz but I also feel I am the heart of the team as well giving the rest of the team helpful encouragement when all goes wrong.
I hope, once I have finished the ARC, to work full time on yachts, which means I can use this year on Fizz to gain experience and a quality tan. (People planning on sailing topless should be aware that sun cream needs to be rubbed in and that just because its invisible dosent mean you dont have to rub it in. Those who have seen my current tan will know).
While on Fizz my main responsibilities apart from sails and rigging are cleaning and cooking, both of which I am excellent at,with guests questioning why I have not chosen to be chef, to which my answer is that this is but one of the things i excel in.
I feel I have written enough for now and I hope to see as many people as possible in the Caribbean where you will be able to listen to me regale stories of the sperm whales i will have caught on the crossing.
Nick Willis - MBE
I’m 20 years old, and would describe myself as the brains behind the boat. Whether its port side to, or starboard side...aft? Im you man. I am currently working at GlaxoSmithKline in Stevenage, on a placement year away from the madness of University. (One of us has to work round here).
I would say I am the provider for the family, bringing home the bacon, and making sure Stu gets his pocket money. Without my financial backing, there would be no Atlantic crossing!
My sailing achievements I can count on one hand, and could explain to you in less than 30 seconds. For example, I once capsized and nearly sank a topper; I was also rescued by a Caribbean man when I lost control of a Laser. These achievements have been put on my CV and I regard them as defining points in my extensive sailing career.
In terms of my role on board Fizz, I’d like to think I provide the social element of the sailing experience. I ensure that the crew sample the local nightlife, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the local bars, and girls. I am also chief recruitment officer on board, and am currently accepting all applications for deck hands on Fizz, as long as you meet the following criteria: Female, 18-27, Single, Size 3-5 Feet, 5ft Tall ish Vulnerable, Tanned.
Peter O'Sullivan - ARC Europe crew
Peter O'Sullivan aka Sull (but definitely not Pete)
Having spent 6 years in the merchant navy many years ago, I am realising a life long ambition of crossing the pond under sail.
To do it in the year I am 50, is the icing on the cake !!
When not living the dream, I am the Sales and Marketing Director of Plastex www.plastex.co.uk who have kindly released me for a 2 month sabbatical.
The support of my family, without which I could not undertake the ARC Europe, is fantastic;
Karen (25 years married last year - she deserves a medal), will be using the time away to bring on her dressage horse "Joey" bred from her mare 4 years ago,
Gemma (recent graduate of History 2:1 Hons - Trinity College Dublin) who is looking for a placing in a PR company - all sensible offers considered,
Michael in second year of History degree at UCD - Dublin (interrupting his rugby just enough to beat his sister's degree grade)
and Katie who is taking her GCSE's this summer (so won't have dad around to nag her for revision) and intends to surpass both her siblings in grades.
Hoping that "Fizz of Cowes" cabin bulkhead's have good sound proofing ... so my brothers in arms don't hear my snoring !!
Peter
Alex Lamont - ARC Europe Crew
"Alex (Alec) Lamont (both names pronounced
the Scottish way)
I am 21 years of age and have been for the
last forty years and my wife Anne, son Ewan and daughter Christine and their
spouses Gillian and Graham are looking forward to getting rid of me for a couple
of months on this adventure taking Fizz back across the pond.
Although growing up beside the sea I did
not seriously get into sailing until I joined Fairplay and met Chris, Bill and
Richard, the other Fairplay directors. Over the years I was with the company we had the pleasure of introducing
many of our employees and some friends to the joy of sailing (although not all of them found it to
be a joy) and at least one of them has gone on to sail round the world with the
Clipper fleet.
Having retired from the company at the end
of October last year I was available and up for the challenge when Chris said
he was looking for crew to help him bring Fizz back to Europe. I learned to respect Chris’s nautical
skills when we spent many an enjoyable weekend together on company sailing
trips. Our boat was always called “La
Crème de Laphroig” but I am expecting Fizz to be somewhat dryer. "
Liz Absalom - ARC Crew
Hi, I'm Liz Absalom, married to John for nearly twenty five years. John and I sailed and raced Dart catamarans until our children were born. I then started some off-shore sailing, mainly with BOSS sailing school in the River Hamble and joined a Sigma 38 for the 1997 Fastnet race. We have had several wonderful family sailing holidays in the Caribbean and Thailand. My favourite place is the BVI's which we have visited several times. I'm looking forward to achieving one of my life time goals when I join Fizz in November for the 2009 ARC. I'm very lucky to have such a great family and a brother who is prepared to put up with me on his boat for 3 weeks!! My biggest challenge will be saying goodbye to my family and animals.
John Absalom
My name is John Absalom and I am forty nine years old. ( better known as ‘Oh no not him again’) I've been married to Les for three years. We have a 17year old son, Daniel and 15 year old daughter, Russell. I am a property developer and due to the severe economic climate I am looking for financial sponsorship for my holiday in St Lucia in December. Please follow my link on the Fizz web site – potlessbuilder.com. I've been a sailor all my life and have taught Chris Willis all he knows about sailing, fishing, drinking and women. I have many happy boyhood memories of Chris and I in his Topper on the River Hamble in skin tight wetsuits. Mine still fits and I shall be wearing it on Fizz this summer. As joint skipper of Fizz I am looking forward to many happy hours sailing on our boat in the Caribbean.
David Warner - ARC Crew
Hi, my name is David Warner. I am 17 years of age and have been sailing for many years. I am currently studying for my A levels at Hove Park 6th form. I am a dinghy race instructor and race a laser.
This year I have focussed on yacht sailing in order to prepare for the ARC. I have spent many enjoyable weekends down on Fizz in preparation for the ARC in November.
Last year I skippered a sonar in Cowes week with Claire, Stu and Lily. I have also competed in many Round the Island and cross channel events. I am grateful that I have been given this opportunity and I am looking forward to completing it in November.
Claire Warner
Hi,
My name is Claire , I am 17 years old and am currently studying for my A-Levels at Hove Park Sixth Form.
I am a qualified dinghy instructor and enjoy all water sports although sailing is my favourite. I have competed in Cowes Week for the past 3 years , last year raising sponsorship to be part of a youth team helmed by my brother Dave, placing 10th overall in our class.... not bad as we were all under 16 years of age.
This year I have competed in two cross channel races, lots of offshore racing and also Round the Island 2009.
The plan this summer is to join Fizz on it's journey down to Las Palmas in preparation for the ARC 2009, and although I will unfortunately not be participating in this year's ARC, I will be in St Lucia at the finishing line....
Lucky me !!!
John Pryke - ARC crew
Usual dull stuff... finally finished Phd in September and made Professor (Engineering) at Imperial (Dec '09). Hoping to move out of academia now and go back to being a partner at Goldman Sachs.
Done bit for world peace - completed civilian secondment with 42 Commando, Plymouth as Weapons Advisor Special Forces (three years is enough for anyone .. the uniform was chaffing my thighs anyway). Other stuff.. 'Asparagus! Asparagus! Hoo Haa!' my cookery show went on air in States in March '95 (foreword by Bill Clinton - good bloke, rubbish cook). Other than that, managed respectable 3rd and 4th in world martial arts Championship two years running (1994 Tokyo and 1995 Sao Paulo) despite the Nunchuks cutting into my fingers in the final and suffering a broken arm in the heats in '94.
Signed a record deal with Sony but tired of touring by summer '96 (supporting U2). Planning to act and produce a film co-wrote with Robert De Niro and Jeremy Paxman sometime in 2003 having helped float De Niro's restaurant chain on the NYSE - behaves as bad as he acts.. loved it when we smashed his car with Naomi hanging out the sun roof - Bono nearly wet himself! (big girl). Apart from that, claim to sort of fame.. made Forbes world's rich list 2500 c/o Future's Trading in Guadalupe in 2000 but more sedate now, trading for fun.
Knighted in '98 for co-writing the terminating software for Mars landing rover vehicles .. and almost beat Gary Kasparov in an invitation tournament in Prague last May (he won 6/4 - bastard).
Made Olympic squad for high diving but dropped out with torn knee ligament from exhibition dive at Acapulco. (footage used for Calvin Klein advert aired in US and Canada).
Just beat off the competition to win the Nobel prize for inventing solar powered cardboard last November (chuffed) and on a personal note am delighted to finally have broken 9.2sec for the 100m last Tuesday despite a runny nose and one shoe bursting into flames at 83m.
What else? .. err.. beat Tiger Woods in charity play off in Atlanta playing with a hockey stick (to annoy him), have been signed by Nasa as Associate Aeronautics Engineer for the next mission (as favour to Gordon), invented a new language you can learn in three seconds on a train last week, eradicated all known diseases yesterday and just got voted the world's most desirable bloke by Cosmo readers (again)...
Living in Sussex. Like sailing.
Taffy
