Sailor Profile:
Gabriel Wicke. 2002 European Champion
 Here
is a Q&A that was completed by MPS European Champion
Gabriel Wicke.
What got
you into the MPS class?
In short- Joachim Harpprecht. After sailing his prototype
in autumn 1999 in Kiel and on Garda we went together
to Burnham-on-Crouch to build the first production prototypes.
I then sailed one of the MPS at the ISAF evaluation
events in March 2000 to victory in all races.
What have you sailed previously?
Laser, Contender. Later 49er, Tornado, A-cat.
How old, tall and heavy are you?
In 2002, I was 23 years old and weighed around 84kg.
How much training did you do in
the MPS in the year prior to the win?
I had done a lot of Contender sailing in 2000 and some
in 2001. The Musto practice was mostly the preparation
for the ISAF event in 2000 and a day before the event.
Did you do any specific training
exercises to improve your boatspeed & handling?
In the Contender and later in the 49er, really short
courses (100-200m) with a lot of tacks and gybes are
nice to get the handling right. You can do this without
any help, e.g. with two floating marks made from partially
cement-filled PVC piping taken out on the foredeck.
A faster-drifting top mark can spice things up as the
exercise progresses. Can you still fit in 3 proper tacks
before reaching the top mark?
This will make you tired (and warm) very
quickly, so some two-boat tuning can be a welcome relaxation.
Once the handling is not that distracting any more,
a lot of racing should be very helpful and fun.
What were your rig settings (Rake,
tensions (shroud & lowers) spreaders (length &
deflection))?
I did not measure it, just set it up by
feel. I think I had more rake than most at the time.
What did it feel like to lift
the trophy at the prize giving?
;)
Do you have any sponsors?
Joachim Harpprecht (Schappi) borrowed me his boat and
drove us to Lake Garda.
What other hobbies do you have?
Sailing (Tornado and A-class catamaran), hiking, biking,
informatics
Are you married / have any kids?
Neither/nor.
What is your favourite band/music?
Arvo Pärt
What's your favourite food?
Lasagne bolognese with bechamel sauce
What is your day job?
Programmer and Student
Other sailor Profiles
Daniel
Henderson 2011 World Champion
Richard
Stenhouse Multiple Champion
Bruce
Keen. 2010 UK National Champion
Rick Perkins. 2007 UK National Champion
Ian Trotter. 2005 UK National Champion
Kev
Anderson. 2004 UK National Champion
Gabriel Wicke. 2002 European
Champion
Chips
Howarth 2001 European Champion
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