CHRIS DICKSON is one of the world's best-known sailors. The New Zealander has helmed two America's Cup challenges, Kiwi Magic in 1987 and Japan's Nippon bid in 1992. He won the Omega World Match Racing Championship in Bermuda in 1991 and has reached the final of Bermuda's top yachting event, the Omega Gold Cup, three times, winning in 1987 and 1989 and losing in 1988. He is currently ranked No.2 in the world.

I love the islands in the Great Sound. Any time you have the ocean blending with the land, as the Sound does, is my favourite place. In between races, I look out beyond the channel where the ships come in and think how nice it would be to sneak off and forget about racing. Over the years I've been out to quite a few of them.

A few afternoons where we've not been racing, we've just gone out for a sail, anchored off one of the islands and fished or swum to a beach. It's a very idyllic place. I've been to Bermuda five times now and it's right at the top of my list - it's probably my favourite place in the world. It's on the water and it's sheltered. It's a beautiful little Island with a modern lifestyle. I find the Bermudian people very friendly and hospitable and I prefer staying with local people than in hotels, although some of them are exceptional. For two years I stayed with Penny and Sasha Simmons at their house in Point Shares. It's right on the water and it's nice to open the window in the morning and see the boats moored there. It's a very relaxing way to start the day.

NOVEMBER 1993 RG MAGAZINE