Justin Chisholm Interviews Serial One-Design Champion Chris Larson
Florida born but now an Annapolis local, nobody knows the waters of the Chesapeake better than serial one design champion Chris Larson. Having spent many successful seasons in the Melges 24 fleet at the helm of other peoples' boats he bit the bullet last year and joined the ranks of the owner-drivers. With trademark meticulous care Chris is putting together a crew to challenge for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championships in Annapolis.
When we caught up with Chris to find out more about him, the reasons for his continued success in sailing and to get some tips for success in Annapolis, he was in the midst of a World Championship in Annapolis for that ‘other' twenty-four foot one design keelboat. You know the one we mean right?
IM24CA: Chris you are a one design junkie and have raced successfully in most if not all of the classes in the ‘small keelboat' arena. How do you rate the Melges 24 against other classes you have experience in?
CL: The Melges 24 is now a mature class with approaching 800 boats built and with this comes fantastic competition. The current level is as high as any other class such as the Etchells, Star, or J/24, if not higher. Teams are putting a serious amount of time and effort into their campaigns which is pushing the level higher and higher. For me, it's the best fleet to compete in.
IM24CA: You have been active in the Melges 24 fleet for quite a while helming other people's boats, but you bought your own boat last year. Tell us why you made that change?
CL: I've been jumping in and out of the class over the past several years whenever time allowed. Most recently, I sailed with Scott ‘Doc' Holmgren and the Rosebud program. We had a great run of events with a lot of success. Topping the list was a 2006 US National Championship. Doc had a couple of injuries which kept him from sailing this past season. I thought it might be nice to have my own program especially since the 2008 North Americans and 2009 World Championships where going to be here in my hometown of Annapolis. I had really just started to think about the possibilities and before I knew it we were welcoming USA-655 into our family. The whole deal happened in less than 2 weeks.
IM24CA: Tell us about your earliest sailing memories? How, where, when and with who did you first get afloat?
CL: I grew up in Bradenton, Florida where I was introduced to sailing at the very young age of 6 by my parents. I began racing on the family sailboat while also beginning in Optimist. At the time, there were only two Optimist fleets in the US, one in St Pete and one in Miami. I had a ferocious appetite for competition and sailed every weekend. It became a full time obsession and still to this day 35 years later it's still my main focus.
IM24CA: What have been the highlights of your sailing career so far? What was your first major title win? Which Championship was the hardest fought? Which win means the most to you?
CL: I've been very fortunate to achieve many things in the sport of sailing. I would have to think the pinnacle was receiving the "Rolex Yachtsman of the Year" award in 1997. Other great memories include the 2000 America's Cup, the 2001-2 Volvo Ocean Race, 7 World Championships, 3 Admiral's Cups, Sardinia Cup, College Sailor of the Year, and a Gold Medal in the 1987 Pan-Am Games.
Winning the J/24 World Championships in 1996 had to be the toughest thing I've ever done. It took me over 15 years of non-stop J/24 sailing. Back then it was the way you worked yourself up the ladder to bigger and better things. It was where you "earned your stripes" so to speak.
IM24CA: What do you believe is the reason for your spectacular success in sailing?
CL: I would have to think it's my personal motivation and desire to succeed. I've always had the never say never attitude and am very rarely satisfied with the result or performance. Back in the early days it was very easy to have total immersion into the sport. I ate, breathed, and slept sailboat racing. As I've gotten older, things have changed a little and my family has taken over as the top priority.
IM24CA: Why do you believe you have had so much success in one design classes?
CL: The reason for my success in one design racing began very early in my career. It all started with collegiate sailing. Those four years gave me the platform to develop sailing skills and fundamentals which I still use today.
IM24CA: Other than the Melges 24, what is your favourite class to race in and why?
CL: Other than the Melges 24, I'd have to say the TP52. It's very similar to the Melges 24, just 28 feet longer. They are very powerful machines similar to the Melges 24 and reward aggressive boat handling. Just like the Melges 24, it's very easy to smoke downwind at speeds well over 20kts.
IM24CA: Tell us about your sailing plans for 2009? What will your build up programme be for the World's in Annapolis? What other sailing will you be doing?
CL: As I write, I'm about to begin the 2009 J/24 World Championships. The event is here in Annapolis and I thought it might be fun to make a cameo appearance. It's been 10 years since I last competed in a J/24 Worlds. I'm very fortunate to be able to once again sail with Moose McClintock at this event. We've been extremely successful together over the years and I really look forward to sailing with him and the rest of the team.
Once the J/24 Worlds are complete it will be straight back into Melges 32's, Etchells, Swan 45's, and Farr 40's. Hopefully there will be a little time for some Melges 24 sailing in preparation for the World Championships later in October.
IM24CA: Tell us about your relationship with your sponsors? How important to you is their support?
CL: I've been very lucky to have support from some of the best companies in the marine industry. West Marine Rigging, Kaenon, McLube, Harken, New England Ropes, and Henri Lloyd are just to name a few. I've worked with each of them over the years developing long lasting relationships which has been fantastic.
I'm a strong believer you have to work as hard for your sponsor as you do yourself. Having common goals of being successful on the water and in the market place is important.
West Marine Rigging, New England Ropes, McLube, and Harken will be back onboard for the Worlds as they were for this past years North Americans.
IM24CA: Introduce us to your Melges 24 team for 2009?
CL: Not sure at the moment. That's currently work in progress.
IM24CA: Who do you think will be the major challengers for the 2009 Melges World Championships?
CL: There will be 2 major challenges here in Annapolis. First the competition and second the fickle winds of the Chesapeake Bay.
Last year the North American's saw several days of wind which is quite unusual. In a 4 day championship, you will be sure to have some very trying conditions.
Patience, good starts, and avoiding the "Big One" will be most important for winning in October.
IM24CA: What are your three or more key pieces of advice for Melges owners looking for a top ten result in Annapolis?
CL: Keys to Victory in Annapolis:
- Pick a team which gives you confidence.
- Make sure you are mechanically sound as a team.
- Bring a boat which is fully prepared.
- Focus on starting.
- Spend time sailing in shifty "lake conditions". It will be a tactical not boatspeed event.
- Bring your patience.
IM24CA: Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
CL: Thanks for the interview. It's been fun sharing my thought with you and the Melges 24 class. See you in October!