While Andy Roy was visiting from Canada for the International Masters Regatta, we got a chance to sit down with him on the SDYC Sailcast. After the recording, Andy and his team went on to finish first in the regatta. Andy talks about his history in sailing, Laser sailing, the America’s Cup, and Junior Sailing.
The conversation begins by discussing some of Andy’s background in the sailing world, focusing mostly on his love for Lasers and his experiences sailing around the world. Alli Bell (host) and Andy talk some of the differences in sailing Lasers then and now, an article that Andy has actually published on in Laser Magazine. He goes on to talk about Laser Master sailing and Lasers in the Olympics.
Switching gears, the two talk about Andy’s time sailing in the America’s Cup and how much more “official” it’s become since his time. He reflects on sailing 12-metres and tells some memories of sailing the boats and sailing in the Cup.
Andy talks about life outside of sailing for a brief moment, including his career in the naval industry. He discusses the differences on sailing alone vs. sailing with a team and talks about sailing as a Junior.
“We can first and second in the Laser Worlds back in ’82 because we spent a winter in Australia and we two-boat trained. We analyzed the two of us what we were doing and we went to the Worlds and were rocket fast,” he said.
From there, Andy talked about some of the downfalls in too much coaching and then finishes the conversation telling Alli some of his favorite sailing spots around the world.
Andy will be retiring at the end of the year and will also be sailing in the Laser Master Worlds in Melbourne this March.