Is there a mentor, role model or some other key figure in your life who has
significantly impacted your sailing?
Andy Horton: My sailing mentor is my collegiate sailing coach Scott Ikle. Scott is groundbreaking with his professional approach to coaching sailing.
We have been great friends since the day we met and I can’t wait to get him on the water to help me in the Star.
Brad Nichol: My local Star fleet has always provided opportunities for younger sailors to get into the class. I was sailing in local races at age 13 and went with a local fleet member to my first World Championships when I was 18. I must have been the youngest person there by a dozen years.
Is there another side to you that you'd like to share with the Seahorse readership?
AH: What I really enjoy doing when I’m not sailing is snowboarding and almost anything else outdoors.
BN: I was an alpine ski racer in high school and college. I still like to get away from sailing by heading up to the mountains for a few days of skiing in some nice powder.
What is it you find most fun or rewarding about this sport?
AH: I find working with other people as a team is the most rewarding part of sailing. It’s great to meet people from everywhere in the world and work with them toward a common goal.
BN: Sailing is challenging on so many levels. To be successful you need the whole package from physical training to technical and tactical skills. On top of that, every time you hit the water the challenges are different.
You can never get bored.
Do you have any feedback or thoughts on Harken and McLube™ products?
AH & BN: Both products are simply the best. We only use Harken gear on our Star and can really count on it being being strong and light. I can’t remember ever breaking a block. That’s a pretty good track record. McLube™ is great at eliminating friction and keeping blocks, hulls and spinnakers clean and dry. Whatever you spray it on works with less friction and stays clean, so it lasts forever.
Read Andy Horton's Interview with US Sailing
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