skippers already interviewed:
Yokko
Spirillen
TULLE
euphoria
Seaton
Desperados
Bluesweden
samuel
Camster
Wetstuff
Mikolaj
A Quick presentation of Miko, Skipper of Mikolaj
Hi, my name is Mikolaj Benesiewicz. I'm 17, living in Gliwice - Poland.
sailforGold : Real sailing experience....
Mikolaj: I have been sailing for 10 years. At the beginning it was mainly a leisure activity, but later it became a competitive sailing. I was sailing on the Optimist and Laser 4.7, currently on Laser Radial. I won several times different local competitions and also have medals and trophies from Polish Championships, took part in European and World Championship.
sailforGold : What do you think about the game?
Mikolaj: VSK 5 is a great game which gives the opportunity to sail during winter. It helps us to improve our rules knowleadge and quite reflects real sailing conditions.
sailforGold : When did you start to play VSK?
Mikolaj: I started playing in 2009. I won the game at one of my regattas. At first I thought that actually no one plays it because I couldn't find any servers. Then I downloaded a patch and found the Polish Club. That is how it begun.
sailforGold : Who are your best friends in VSK?
Mikolaj: The Polish Team - Ryh00, Egon, Stempel and many other Poles have helped me at the beginning. I enjoy sailing with them in Team League. The Isaf Team - particularly Sandy and Cath with whom I sailed in Team Racing competitions and Blues League. There are many others that make this game enjoyable for me.
sailforGold : What does it take to be one of the best and fastest fleet skipper VSK has ever seen? Performance enhancing drugs, a gaming studio with panoramic video screen and skippers wheel or Paul Elvstrom helping from skype???
Mikolaj: I guess that real sailing experience comes in handy. I can anticipate other sailors steps which sometimes is very useful. I use an old keyboard and not the best computer so they are not the most important factors. You need to train a lot, get to know the game and learn from your mistakes.
sailforGold : What is your TOP FIVE of best players currently in VSK?
Mikolaj: Different skills are required in fleet, match and team racing. As I sail mostly fleet I'm going to indicate those who are best in it.
1. Ryh00
2. Yokko
3. Desperados
4. Sprillen
5. Samuel
sailforGold: Any more words you would like to say?
Mikolaj: Try to improve your sailing skills and pay attention to details. It is better to go behind the whole fleet than ruin your race and others. Sail fast and fair.
sailforGold: Dzieki Miko for your time and words. We might never get to beat you, but we will always have fun trying ;) GW!
A short interview with Tricky Winds Team captain Wetstuff:
by Team Tricky Winds ADM
My name in real life is Alexander but my friends call me Alex which is easier ;). I’m a Naval Architect involved in yacht building and survey. I’m almost 36 and still not married :P.
Did you sail when you were younger, do you sail in real life now?
Wetstuff: I have been sailing since the age of 12 starting with Optimists, moving to 420 and then to 470 which was my main class in my younger years. I have been member of the national team for a year.I then had to make a break from competitive sailing due to university studies, and in recent years have been crew on a 35foot boat (Beneteau First35) as mainsail & spinnaker trimmer. I have also been doing windsurfing.
When did you start playing VSK, how did it happen?
Wetstuff: I have been playing in offline mode almost all versions of VSK since the 1st one, but on multiplayer mode since early 2009.I decided to buy the game in order to become a full member of the AYC club which then was a very popular VSK club.
VSK - just a game? How do you see VSK as part of your real life?
Wetstuff: For me VSK is not just a game in the strict sense. There are many other aspects of the game, being a part of a community and actively participating and interacting with so many people, I consider it to be a social activity and a hobby which goes beyond the term: video game.
Can you remember your best moment and your worst moment in the game? (no need to say names)
Wetstuff: After so many years in VSK there are certainly a few good and bad moments. However I forget so easily the day after or two days after that I cannot remember any good or bad moments right now (LOL).No seriously, good moments are always when you see other people that respect you or when you do something good for the community. On the same line, bad moments are when you see someone showing disrespect, bitterness or other negative emotions for no apparent reason.However, as life goes on, so does VSK
What does Tricky Winds as a club mean to you?
Wetstuff: One evening, a strange guy called Bluesweden came to a public server I was in and asked me if I wanted to be in his team (he thought I was good…). At that time we had the famous Blues League Tournament, and teams competing against each other. So I joined the TTW1 (Team Tricky Winds 1) in season 6 of the tournament and after more than 2 years now I still am in the same team.In 2012 we started considering and building the club Tricky Winds. There was a lot of brainstorming and a lot of work in the background to build the club. There was also a big challenge to keep all international members of the club under same philosophy, always keeping in mind some core values for the club, being fair, respectful and competitive.Let’s not forget that this is an international club with much variation in ages, culture, personalities, sometimes also language difficulties. Perhaps it was inevitable that there was going to be some disagreement and friction, and after some changes in the end of last year, we now feel that this club is on the right track to be one of the leading clubs in VSK, both in terms of acceptance by the community, as well as performance on the virtual waters.
What is your vision for the future of the game and for Tricky Winds?
Wetstuff: I think that we will not see a VSK6. Virtual Skipper was developed by a group of enthusiasts, however the gaming companies don’t see this title as worthwhile to invest on. Unless Goffe can persuade Larry Ellison to invest in that (remember you promised to email him - haha). I think it’s the responsibility of the community to keep this game alive, which after almost 7 years since VSK5 was introduced, is still considered a very good sail simulator.Regarding Tricky Winds, we will continue to have this club as an enjoyable meeting place for our members, always looking to get more members in, that we feel are respectful, fair, talented and share our passion for sailing. We will also be looking for newcomers, that are looking to learn the secrets of VSK and be part of our vision. Our vision which is not be the “best” club, but more of a group of people that know what they are doing and doing it well.
Anything else you want to share with us?
Wetstuff: I have always thought I need to express my deepest respect to Camster for what he has done for the game, and the ethos he has taught to all of us. If it wasn’t for Sandy, perhaps our experience of the game would have been not even half of what it is now. If some want to call Camster the godfather of VSK, I give my thumbs up to that.My deep respect goes also to Bluesweden, whose pure love and passion for the game, without prejudice and bias towards anyone, is an ongoing inspiration for me. If it wasn’t for him and Tricky Winds, I might as well had stopped playing the game and participate so actively in this vibrant community.Love & Peace
PS : Interview made by Team Tricky Winds ADM, big thanks and GW to Wetstuff!
Quick presentation of Sandy, skipper of Camster:
My name is Sandy (short for Alexander) and I live with my wife in the Highlands of Scotland – one of the most beautiful parts of the world but with wet & windy weather much of the time. I’m 63 and have always had a love of boats & sailing. I’m retired from my work as a family doctor in a small village, which was more of a way of life than an occupation.
sailforGold : Real life sailing experience ...
Camster: My parents had various small cruising yachts and we explored the Scottish west coast most summers. In my teens I raced dinghies on the Clyde (mostly National Enterprise class and Albacore). University found me in 420’s and Larks and doing some team racing and keelboats occasionally. Later my wife & I owned our own cruisers (Folkboat & Twister) and we continued sailing the north-west coast until recently.
sailforGold : What do you think about the game?
Camster: VSK 5 is a great implentation of the sailing experience translated into a computer game. It is clearly a labour of love for the guys who created it and there was never much hope that it would be a commercial success. I wish I had been able to learn the tactics & rules like this when I was racing for real – so many things are clear now in a way that I never grasped on the real water. Originally I loved the game because it reminded me of the races of my youth. Later I appreciated it for the many friendships & acquaintances that I have made through it.
sailforGold : When did you start to play VSK?
Camster: My wife gave me VSK1 as a birthday present – I’m not sure when exactly but it was about 1 year after it had been started – maybe 2002. I was amazed to discover that many skippers tried to implement the real racing rules and I always supported this concept. It equally incredible that they sailed so fast and were able to type in chat at the same time!
sailforGold : Who are your best friends in VSK?
Camster: Over the years I have made many friends in VSK – many through my fan site Northspace. Any list is sure to leave out someone imporitant! Of course I have to mention Luna, who has been a very faithful friend to me in good & bad times on VSK and for the past two years we have had fun creating ISAF Racing, from her idea. I guess my best friendships at the moment are with the guys who are helping us make the site a success. This includes the Jury and the ISAF Racing team but also the guys from other sites who have given us their friendship & support. I tried to make a list, but like saying ‘hi’ when you join a game, it’s too long to fit the page! Also I remember with some nostalgia now the 1st skippers who made me realise VSK could be a place to meet friends.
sailforGold : What is fundamental to becoming the Godfather (a fast one at that) of VSK, is it your pet Hamster spinning the wheel?
Camster: I’m just another skipper who has been online a lot, and so is well known. I dont feel like a Godfather ... I found it difficult to find advice in English when I started playing VSK, so each time I found stuff out, I wrote it down and gradually built Northspace, so that other skippers could find it in turn. Although the site is anonymous, somehow everyone knows it’s me lol. I’m a passionate believer in International friendships and trying to understand other cultures.
sailforGold : Many fantastic Hints and Tips have come from your website Northspace.co.uk and the ISAF Racing forums. What is your highest recommendation(s) for a newbie skipper to advance their quest for virtual Gold.
Camster: Really study what the winners do. Stay cool & think before you type in chat. I must learn how to do these things ...
sailforGold : What is your TOP FIVE of best players currently in VSK? (not necessarily the top 5 in IR 14, no pressure :)
1. Mikolaj – A great fleet racer with a cool head & a true gentleman on the water. Great starting technique.
2. Desperados – the equal of Miko in tactics & speed.
3. Drao – a great Match Racer with the rare ability to explain & teach.
4. Euphoria – always seems to find that little bit extra when he needs it
5. Yokko – always sails fast and is very tough to beat
sailforGold: Any more words you would like to say?
Camster: Thanks for the chance to say a few words and to thank all my friends for so many years of fun and good spirits on the virtual water.
sailforGold: Thank you Sandy for your time and banter. We might never express it enough, yet we are all so grateful for your efforts. GW!
Enterprise blasting
Twister
Quick presentation of Samuel, skipper of samuel:
My name is Samuel Solano, 22 years young, formed in Institute Federal São Paulo.
entering now to study mathematics at Universidade Paulista. A nice family, 1 nephew and a nice girlfriend. I live in the northcoast of São Paulo.
sailforGold : Real sailng experience ?
samuel: I am sailing since child. Optimist, holder12, laser, byte, 470…not as victorious player, but i was in podium several time.
sailforGold : What do you think about the game?
samuel: The virtual skipper 5 is the most famous simulator in the world, you can learn a lot of rules and tactics. My favority love is fleet race, but i enjoy sailing match race and team race.
I love the social part, we can meet people and keep in touch.
Now i have a baby named sailforGold a current high level event in VSK.
sailforGold : When do you starded to play VSK?
samuel: I started Virtual Skipper in 2008 with a free version.
sailforGold : What is your best friends in VSK?
samuel: its hard to tell who are my best friends, i think am a lovely guy in VSK. i love to sailing with Team tricky winds guys, ISAF racing members and all Danishs. but of course my honey Yokko my best
sailforGold : What is fundamental to becoming one of the biggest players like you? something special?
samuel: I don't consider my boat between biggest players, because i am not a current player in the full schedule events of the VSK community.
I only run my own event named sailforGold some times!
I really i am in a high level of sailing vsk, after a stint in vsk-match, training only MR, I learned many techniques and abilities that 95% of "fleet racers" does not know.
I cant apply all this skills in fleet race, because i will be named hunter or unfair.
Actually to me the concept of good fleet race is: sailing in a high level and be friendly at the same time.
sailforGold : What is your TOP FIVE of best players current in VSK?
1.Yokko – For me the best fleet racer in the last 5 years
2.Mikołaj – The famous winner
3.spirillen – Amazing prestart
4.Desperados – another polish man to lead all things like ryhoo, miko
5.Jammy Dodger – Strong player at the same time fun.
Close to this list: Djonny – BZH – TULLE – Damy – The white boat – cocal – wetstuff…and Etc.
sailforGold: Any words you want to say?
samuel: Always keep a smile in VSK, even in a complicated situation.
We must to always remember thats just a silly game. but respecting others even a nadeo skin player.
my advice is: Do not spend your precious social time after races in VSK.
Fun dive
A short inteview with Tricky Winds club founder Bluesweden:
What is your real name and any other personal information you want to share with us
Hi my name in real life is Johan and my friends cal me Krasse and I have now been married for 25 years. I am 49 years old ( but in my mind 25 i think ). I have three children and two grandchildren .
Did you sail when you were younger, do you sail in real life now?
My father taught me to sail when I was 7 years old.
Have sailed at high level the boat type laser when I was younger. But now I sail just VSK
When did you start playing VSK, how did it happen?
I sat on my vacation in summer 2008 and was surfing the internet. found a demo by pure chance of the game VSK 5th and after that i was lost in this game
VSK - just a game? How do you see VSK as part of your real life?
This game has taken much of my real life time. I know somewhere that it's only a game. But I like the competition. So this is a life style for me
Can you remember your best moment and your worst moment in the game? (no need to say names)
My best moments?
Hard to say but one of the best moments was when I built up the club VSR to make Swedish virtual sailors stronger in this game and after that TTW club where i have to be able to bring in sailors from different parts of the world in TTW club . I have made many friends here . And have lot of fun together .
You were the founder of VSR, and then went to make a new club, Tricky Winds. What does it take to make a successful virtual club?
It's easy to start a club, it can all be done but it is hard to create a good club.
I think you have to first be sure to have fun in the game together. And start to bring in a few sailors who you trust . You're supposed to have rules in a club but you probably should not govern the members too much they have to feel that they have space . And make sure everyone feels involved himself in the club. It can be difficult some times but important to work with i think. The bigger the club gets, the harder it becomes to ensure that everyone is happy .
What is your vision for the future of the game and for Tricky Winds?
As it stands now for me I will keep working with the TTW. Also I keep in mind that most important is to have fun. Sometimes we forget why we play this game so be sure to have fun, it is most important.
If you have fun you will be getting even better results.
Anything else you want to share with us?
Be nice to each other GW
Johan when he was young
Johan @ Gold moment in laser
PS : Interview made by Team Tricky Winds ADM
Quick presentation of Ogorodnik Eugeniy, skipper of Djonny:
Hi I am Ogorodnik Eugeniy. I live in St. Petersburg. I am 47 years .
By education I am an engineer-researcher on aerohydrodynamics.
Now I work as the engineer-designer of exhibition stands
Samuel : Real sailng experience ?
Djonny: I began sailing at the age of 18, in Shipbuilding Institute.
I was lucky to get the crew 10.5 meter yacht Polish construction under the name of "Ulysses".
I was mainly on the yacht under sail as much as 15 years. Though we tried to take participation in races, still most of the time occupied for a long voyage.
First Soviet water - Barents,White and Baltic seas, lake Ladoga and lake Onega, then, when it became possible to go to other countries,we have many times visited all Baltic countries.
After the modernization of our yachts, improved its class seaworthiness, we were going to the North the sea, the English channel and in one of the years have time to get through the Bay of Biscay to Santander.
In winter time I raced on a sailing mono-ski.
Samuel : What do you think about the game?
Djonny: The game is great, and even in some cases better than the real sailing -
I mean that all the players have identical in their racing qualities of the yacht,
experienced crews and no "17 years of use" sails:))
Samuel : When do you starded to play VSK?
Djonny: I started playing VSK after hearing that there is a network version in 2009.
Samuel : What is your best friends in VSK?
Djonny: In the first days of my races in VSK5Online I made friends with Karmaz and Topcha
that helped me deal with issues that typically arise for beginners.
I have been long time race as Nadeo boat because something did not work pay via Internet and
one day Karmaz gave me a Full version of the game, with the words" I'm tired of seeing your Chinese skin"
And the list is still only those who stopped playing VSK: Nazdorovie,Cape Cod,Alex63...
Samuel : What is fundamental to becoming the most lovely Russian and the biggest TOP current players like you? something special?
Djonny: I don't know why,maybe because I respect all yachtsmen in the real and virtual seas.
And of course there is no "Top secret"- only : you become the Top when racing with Top players and remember "compass is not a pizza".
Samuel : What is your TOP FIVE of best players current in VSK?
Djonny:
If we consider the race last month, I have seen:
1- Jammy Dodger
2- Desperados
3- Spirillen
4- Mikolai
5- Samuel.....
Samuel : Any words you want to say?
Djonny: I want to thank you for the interview Samuel
and to wish good winds all sailors , especially the guys from the TTW.
Ice boarding
Ice boarding
At top
Quick presentation of Krzys, skipper of Desperados:
My name is Chris Malecki. I am 20 years of age. I am a student at the Technical University of Gdansk.
Samuel : Real sailng experience ?
Desperados: I sail my whole life. My father sailed in the regatta, I was with him for the first time on the water. Parents say that when I was one year. At the age of seven years I went with my brother (vodka) to the club. Quickly I was successful in the Optimist. Then I sailed in the Cadet class, which I was the world champion in 2010. In the meantime, sailed to other classes racing (29 er, 470, laser, Skippi 650). Currently sail in the class Omega Sports and match racing.
Samuel : What do you think about the game?
Desperados: I think Vsk5 is a great game. Very well reflects the strategy and tactics of a real race committee. The game brings together many wonderful people giving the opportunity to take part in many events. Sometimes I wonder how it could look like 6 part of the game.
Samuel : When do you starded to play VSK?
Desperados: My adventure with Virtual Skipper began in the winter of this year. I used to play occasionally in the Virtu al skipper 2.This is all my experience with sailing simulators.
Samuel : What is your best friends in VSK?
Desperados: The community Vsk are many wonderful people. Among my favorites are the people who respect the rules of sailing.The role model can be put here: Spirillen, Camster,Seaton, Luna, Noinsurance,Samuel, Wetstuff and many others with tricky winds and ISAF racing.
Samuel : What is fundamental to becoming so quickly one of the biggest TOP current players like you? something special?
Desperados: First of all, I love sailing. Vsk extend my dead season,when I can not sailing in the real world.My key to success is that it draws an incredible pleasure from the game.I'm still working on my technique and strategy.Often, watching other players and watch the race replays trying to see my mistakes.
Samuel : What is your TOP FIVE of best players current in VSK?
Desperados:
1.Spirillen
2.Mikołaj
3.Dennis Conner
4.Yokko
5.Samuel
In my view, very close to this list are Drao and Fix oder Nix
Samuel : Any words you want to say?
Desperados: Sail fair and Respect the rules of sailing. Take pleasure from the the game. :)).This interview is for me great distinction. Thank you so much.
Quick presentation of Mark, skipper of Seaton:
Hi I am Mark Seaton, I live in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland I am 33, I live with my good lady Barbara and daughter Hayley. I currently work in an insurance brokers.
Samuel : Real sailing experience ?
Seaton: I have been sailing in real most of my life on Belfast Lough, Northern Ireland, at my home club in Carrickfergus, I started off sailing with my Father, then when I was old enough I sailed optimist dinghy's, and progressed onto Mirror dinghys. I then started sailing on a 23 foot cruiser racer when I was 12 years old, one design called a Ruffian 23, these boats were designed and built in Northern Ireland and are a great one design class! a little like a J24.
As I got older I then started racing on bigger boats at the time there were a lot of 40 footers and I did main sheet on a 44 foot Rob Humphreys called Comanche Raider.
I am now back to sailing Ruffians just on the summer series on Tuesday & Thursday nights doing fordeck on Carrageen, its a good way to loose the belly after playing VSK all winter lol.
Samuel : What do you think about the game?
Seaton: I have met a lot of nice people over the years from many different countries, for me its a long winter from November to April in the spring when its too cold to sail in real life, so the next best thing is to sail VSK I really enjoy the Blues League and the VSK World tour Team event, and I enjoy getting onto team speak and having great discussions about rules & tactics and having a few glasses of the red stuff and a few laughs with the guys. VSK for me is the next best thing to sailing in real life, you really have to think about your strategy before the races and re-adjust your tactics, I would really love to see VSK6 ..the VSK umpire updated to the current ISAF RRS, and when boats hit each other a damage penalty, and finally an “advanced” mode in addition to the simulation, tactical and arcade mode, where you can tune the boats...not much of an ask lol.
Samuel : When do you started to play VSK?
Seaton: I think I started in 2002 or so with the first VSK, then I lost interest after a while, I then downloaded the free version of VSKOnline in 2011 and then bought the VSK5 version a few months later, then I got bittten by the bug, new gaming PC, duel screens, and have been playing ever since.
Samuel : What is your best friends in VSK?
Seaton: This is a difficult one!! I have met so many great people through this game, I would probably have to say Fernando (Jult) Ace (Plan B) and the rest of the guys in TTW2, Johan (BlueSweden) the nicest guy in VSK, Steve (In-d-cision) and John (TeamJB) Guy (Goffe) all really top guys and have done a lot of this game and our club Team Tricky Winds.
Samuel : What is fundamental to becoming one of the biggest and best e friendly current players like you? something special?
Seaton: Im not sure, to be honest I just have a passion for sailing, and sailing VSK is the next best thing to real life sailing, I always try and help anyone I can by sharing any knowledge or experience.
Samuel : What is your TOP FIVE of best players current in VSK?
Seaton: 1) Desperados - First couple of races I seen Krzys race in I wanted him to be part of TTW2, for me I think he is the fastest and most tactical guy in VSK at the minute, pretty special!, I believe he’s pretty fast in real life too!
2) Mikolaj - He is on everyone's top 5 list for a reason!..
3) Bent P - Danish Champion 2 years running and last season winner of Blues League, TTW1 really missed him this season, definitely worthy of a top 3 spot.
4) Samuel - Always finishes in the top 5, downwind boat speed is amazing.
5) Sprillen – Athletes of VSK Captain, Soren’s record in Blues League is truly great, Danish runner up 2 years running and previous winner, hes always consistently in the top at most major VSK events, knows how to use the rules to his advantage! (in a fair way )
Samuel : Any words you want to say?
Seaton: Sail fair, Sail Fast and enjoy....people keep telling me its only a game...is it? Thanks Sam its an honour to be asked for an interview with some of the greats of VSK, Thanks again, Mark.
ISA hellsman
Quick presentation of Harald, skipper of the legend euphoria:
I'm Harald from Oslo, Norway, born in '71. I'm a master of science in structural design, running my own business, currently in the field of sub sea engineering. I've a wife, two kids and an english setter dog. And I'm an International Umpire, ie on water judge with Match Racing as main area.
samuel : Real sailing experience?
euphoria: I grew up sailing regattas every weekend with my dad in keel boats, before doing dinghy racing on my own. Nowadays I sail boats and board only for recreation, but might pick up regatta sailing again when the kids get older.
samuel : What do you think about the game?
euphoria: The fact that there are still many people sailing VSK on a regular basic after 6 years, is a testament that the game is very well made. That makes me proud too, because I have my name on the credits list of VSK5 together with Erwan (sunburn) :-). Though I wish we could have a version 6 of the game in the future, to attract new and old sailors. Btw, the most important reason for the success is the decision to make the boats go equally fast without having to trim the boat. It's a tactical sailing simulator, which is a part of sailing that is possible to simulate well. It's not possible to simulate the sensation of the boat going fast, fine tuning trim etc...
samuel : When did you start to play VSK?
euphoria: I started with VSK1 in 1999 or 2000. Before VSK, I sailed a game called Virtual Cup for a short period of time. And my first virtual sailing experience at all was the Virtual Whitbread around the world race (Volvo Ocean Race) in 97/98.
samuel: What is your contribution to the game VSK? anything you would like to change in this game? =]
euphoria: I've been managing the beta testing for the previous releases for Nadeo, and I've been consultant for Nadeo with regards to developing the game, for example the built in umpire. Many things needs to be improved for a future release, and my main wish if for Nadeo to build a module for umpiring which I can tune myself. I sent them ideas on this way back, and they liked it, but first they need to decide to go for another version.
samuel : Who are your best friends in VSK?
euphoria: Having been on VSK for more than a decade, it's hard to tell who are my best friends. But people I've had a long term relationship with while developing many clubs and services, are closest to my heart. I'm speaking of friends from ITBYC, VSK Match, VSK Nordic, Clubs United, WMRC, WTRC and NC.
samuel : What is fundamental to becoming one of the biggest personalities in the game? something special?
euphoria: You need to be crazy!!! In a positive way... ;-)
samuel : What is your TOP FIVE of best players in VSK?
euphoria: For the other interviews you have asked for current top 5, but for me that is hard, as I don't sail on a regular basis throughout the whole year. But the two best skippers in history of VSK overall, are for sure sunburn and spittillo. This is easy to understand simply by looking at their merits.
samuel : Any words you want to say? Feel free.
euphoria: Having been a site manager for years, and competitor on a high level, I've seen my share of the worst in people on VSK. That's the problem with the virtual world; people can be the biggest assholes they want, without having to take the responsibility for it. People and behavior that would never have been tolerated in the real water sailing world. So my final words are: Be nice and polite when sailing VSK. Be respectful to your opponents on the water and in the forums. Have a nice day!
2011 World Championship for International One Meter in West Kirby, UK
Quick presentation of Søren, skipper of Spirillen:
My name is Søren, born and raised in Denmark. I'm now 48 years young, and living in Copenhagen. I work as a lab. Tech with research in human nutrition, mostly with diabetes and over weigth.
Samuel : Real sailng experience ?
Spirillen: I started sailing when I was 10 years old, first with the Optimist, and later the Europe dingy. Not with any big success, and with great fun. When I was 12 my parents bough their first boat, and for many years I sailing with them, a long with my brother. When they bough a bigger boat (danish design called Grinde), we started to get a great deal of success. After they stopped racing I started crewing on different boats, some with great success, others not so much. Due to knee and back problems, I had a break for 10 years sailing big boats, 4 years ago I started again just to have some fun.
My real passion today are R/C model boat racing. I started 15 years ago, and quickly got hooked. The first 10 years I designed and build my own boats, and as I got better at it, the success started coming. Now I race with an Aussie build IOM, as I don't have space for building any more. To brag a little, I won my 12th Danish and 4th Nordic Championship this year. I also have made it a habit to the Euros and Worlds, with a 11th at a Worlds as my best.
Samuel : What do you think about the game?
Spirillen: I think it is great, off course it has its limitation, since it is “just a game”. But accept them, and I think you have a great tool to keep your tactical skills sharp. VSK is also one of the reasons, that I have gotten so much into the rules, and now being a member of the PC for Blues League.
Samuel : When do you starded to play VSK?
Spirillen: I started back with VSK 2, went on to VSK 3, and then had a break for some years. Got back into it, when I saw a copy of ACC 32th Edition on sale, and have never look back again.
Samuel : What is your best friends in VSK?
Spirillen: With out any doubt it is Ivanhoe/Ivan, with whom I have spend many hours talking to on TS. Not just because we both are on the PC for BL, but also as just friends. I can only thank Ivan for the many hours, in his pleasant company.
Cathy, Sandy and Goffe are some more skippers, I count as friends, and very much enjoy sailing and talking to on TS. Also my team mates on AoV should be mentioned.
This just a few names on friends, but count so many skippers in VSK as friends, that the list would to long to mention them all, and I hope they can forgive me for not mention them here, they know how they are :-)
Samuel : What is fundamental to becoming one of the biggest and best current players like you? something special? some engine =]?
Spirillen: The easy answer is: practice, practice and more practice, but I think that is to put to simple.
I think learning from and remembering it, from what went good and wrong in a race, is just as important. I also have read a bit about how to sail in VSK, what is the optimum TWA in the different wind strengths, how to tack or gybe the best way, and so on.
I don't use any kind of hot keys to steer the boat (tack or gybe), to hard to set up I think. In sted I use an after market Xbox controller, where I have option to program it. Using the controller I think helps me, because it work in the same way as my R/C controller when I sail the IOM.
One last thing that also helps, is to foresee situations, and then being able act on them, even before they happens, so you don't have doing some in panic.
Samuel : What is your TOP FIVE of best players current in VSK?
Spirillen:
1.Mikolaj
2.RYH
3.Yokko
4.Desperados
5.Tulle
Samuel : Any words you want to say?
Spirillen:My motto could be:
Don't worry be happy, forgive and for get, sail fast and fair.
I sail to wind, but diffidently not win at any cost, by this I mean I try to stay fair and with in the rules. I think this will give you respect, and I hope and think that is why, I have been invited to join various clubs, as ISAF Racing and to sail here.
This is also things that will earn some one my respect, further more a skippers that is great enough (and mean it), to say sorry when they faul my up, will make me forgive and forget. It happens to all of us, that we from time to time make an error, so a sorry goes a long way with me.
Last words are to Samuel, I'm very honored to ask to write here, and to ask to sail here. So Samuel count yourself as one of my good friends, you sail fast but are nice to nice to sail and/or talk to.
Good wind to all the fair skippers here, CU on the race course.
Søren
Quick presentation of Kent, skipper of TULLE:
My name is Kent, born in 1957 in Esbjerg Denmark. Living in Copenhagen. I am self employed and have my own construction company. In the (to short) summertime i have replaced real life sailing with Golf.
Samuel : Real sailng experience ?
Kent: I have been sailing since i was born. My father had a 6 M R-Boat from 1929. I started my self as 9 year old in a dingy called "Flipper" mostly known in the Nordic countries. In my teenager years my father had a modified Soling, that was extremely funny to race. Fast and Wet :-). As i grew older i sailed a lot of regattas in various boat types untill i bought my own X-99 together with my brother. That was a tough class, racing against semi-proffessionals, sailmakers etc. A top ten place in Danish Championsship was like a victory :-). I do not have my own boat any more, but are still sailing from time to time with friends, when i am not playing golf.
Samuel : What do you think about the game?
Kent: The game is excellent, i actually would have loved to have it 40 years ago, because you learn so much about tactics and rules. I wish, though, that there was money enough to develope the game, since the possibilities and capabilties in computers are so much better today, than a few years ago, but then again, the relative simplicity of the game is probably one of the charms of the game.
Samuel : When did you start to play VSK?
Kent: I had a sail simulator from Posey Yachtdesign, which fast became a bit booring, and surfed the net for other simulators, and found 32. America cup, bought it and played a few years offline. I got online in 2009 and have been there ever since.
Samuel : What is your best friends in VSK?
Kent: Spirillen(Søren), Blue Sweden(Johan), Kong(Per), Wetstuff(Alex) and a guy named Samuel, think he is from Brasil :-). I could mention a lot more so it is maybe a bit unfair to mention only five, but i guess they alle know who they are.
Samuel : What is fundamental to becoming one of the biggest players like you? something special?
Kent: Lots of practice, try to participate in the big events, learning from the best in the game. Avoid penalties(better safe than sorry). Check out the maps if possible. Make a gameplan before start, knowing that it might not stick, since there are other players. I do not use any equipment except my keyboard and mouse, hotkeys only for messages. I have tried joystick, pads etc. but found that a keyboard with wire is the best for me(wire to avoid battery problems)
Samuel : What is your TOP FIVE of best players current in VSK?
Kent: A difficult one, but naming only those who sail on a regularly basis it would be:
1. Mikolaj
2. Ryh00
3. Spirillen
4. Yokko
5. Samuel,
there are definately some relativ newcomers as Desperados, Dmi3y which are very close to get on the list.
Samuel : Any words you want to say?
Kent: Relax and have fun with VSK 5.
Quick presentation of Petter, skipper of Yokko:
27 year old, born and raised in Norrköping. Current location Gothenburg, Sweden.
Master of engineering within supply chain management graduate 2013.
Samuel : Real sailng experience ?
Yokko: Ive been sailing quite a lot in my younger years racing in several classes. Now more for vaccation purposes, but also a few racing stand ins.
Samuel : What do you think about the game?
Yokko: I consider it to be rather realistic and I enjoy the social part as well even though the organized racing motivates me the most.
Samuel : When do you starded to play VSK?
Yokko: Uhh, dont know. only VSK 5 at least. 2008? Blue Sweden knows, he drafted me to VSR instantly=)
Samuel : What is your best friends in VSK?
Yokko: I enjoy talking to most of the more frequently racing skippers, but me and Samuel are lovers.
Samuel : What is fundamental to becoming one of the biggest and best current players like you? something special?
Yokko: Stay focused, play it safe and dont let others ruin your own plan or temper. 4,4 is better than 1,7.
Samuel : What is your TOP FIVE of best players current in VSK?
Yokko: This is always hard to say. Many skippers race seldom and forms go up and down in VSK. But if I try considering fleet racing only I would say:
1. Ryh00
2. Lumba
3. Mikolaj
4. Peppino
5. Spirillen
Samuel : Any words you want to say?
Yokko: GAIS rule all
