Jonathan Green: 

Environment & Kids

The Atlantic Cup has a big sustainability message in that the event organizers try to run the race with as little impact on the planet as possible. What does taking care of the planet mean to you?

Living a sustainable life, recycle, reuse, take care of what you own and don’t treat anything as disposable.

If you had to persuade someone to do their part in protecting our oceans, what would you say to them?

Stop buying mylar balloons and plastic bottles of water. I’ve seen hundreds of them at sea and they take a lifetime to breakdown.

Our theme this year is #AtCup1Thing where we want fans to commit to doing one thing for the planet. What’s the one thing you do to protect the planet or our oceans?

I live a minimalist lifestyle and have few possessions. I live on my other boat, Jeroboam, and produce my own electricity via wind turbine and solar panels. In the summer, I’m on a mooring so all the energy I use at home is derived from the wind and sun.

The Atlantic Cup also has a robust Kids program, where we teach kids about offshore racing, geography and protecting the planet. We also ask the Kids pick their favorite team. Tell us why Atlantic Cup Kids should vote for your team.

I offer the best bribes.

Sailing Information

What makes you tough enough to race in the Atlantic Cup?

I don’t think you need to be particularly tough to enter this event. The longest leg is only around 650nm and it’s double handed so there are plenty of people on board. I think preparation and training are harder than the actual race.

For someone who doesn’t understand short-handed offshore sailing, can you explain it in less than 2 sentences?

It’s a true test of self-sufficiency and self-reliance. If you can do this, you can do anything.

What do you think about the leg from New York to Portland?

I love Maine in the summer, can’t think of a better place to finish a race.

How old were you when you first went sailing?

My Dad took my brother and I out on a Sunfish at Camp Spofford in NH when I was around 4 and promptly turtled it, trapping me in the cockpit space. It was a long time before I dared step on a sailboat again.

How did you get into competitive sailing?

Crewed on a friend’s boat

Describe sailing to you in one word.

Solitude

In what way are you superstitious before a race?

I don’t subscribe to superstition.

Number of transatlantic crossings under sail:

2

Please list some of your sailing career highlights:

OSTAR 2013, best in fleet under IRC Bermuda 1-2 in 2009, best in class on combined leg 1 & 2 under PHRF Bermuda 1-2 in 2011, best in fleet on combined leg 1 & 2 under PHRF Bermuda Race 2014, double-handed division winner under ORR

What is one of your goals for your sailing career?

Vendee Globe

What is your 2018 race schedule?

Miami-Cuba in Feb Atlantic Cup in May/Jun Some weekend racing around New England, not sure what yet

How did you meet your co-skipper?

In the spring of 2003, Chris was fishing off the bow of his Mini Transat in Newport Harbor and had a striper on the line. I was just getting interested in racing at the time and had heard about minis. The conversation when something like this:

Greenie: Is that a mini? (very excitedly, as this was the first mini I’d ever seen with my own eyes)

Chris: Yes (rather curtly, as he furiously fought the fish)

Greenie: What kind is it?

Chris: A proto (in one of those “I’m busy” tones)

Greenie: Who built it?

Chris: I did! (fighting hard with a very bowed fishing pole)

Greenie: Wow. What are you doing with it?

Chris: Well right now I’m trying to land this striper!

Later, I properly introduced myself and learned Chris was a pro, a sailmaker and a very accomplished solo/shorthanded sailor. Over the next decade, I learned more about sails, sail trim and sailing fast from Chris than anyone else.

 

What are the strengths of your co-skipper?

Chris never lets a setback get in his way of accomplishing his goals. He’s a classic entrepreneur: never gives up and always drives forward, whether it be in business or racing. He’s also a complete pro. He’s done it all and seen it all. He knows how to make a boat go fast and what it takes to win races.

What are your sailing strengths?

Preparation and strategy

What do you like most about being offshore? What do you like least?

I love the adventure of being offshore. I hate tying up at the dock when it’s over.

What is your biggest fear of being alone on deck?

I don’t have any fears about being alone on deck.

What makes you and your co-skipper a good team?

It’s about compatibility. We always have fun together, no matter what we’re doing. I honestly believe we could come in dead last in Atlantic Cup and still have an absolute blast doing it. I also believe neither of us would ever let that happen.

What do you see is your biggest challenge in this race?

The competition all have much more experience racing Class 40s than I. Even if I go out training every weekend between now and May 26, I’ll still be far behind the other teams.

How do you rate your chances in the Atlantic Cup? Who do you think is the favorite?

I think the boat will be very competitive against other Class 40s. I have confidence that my strategy and planning will be capable of winning. I’m the luckiest person I know so I can count on catching a few breaks along the way. If I can get my experience level up in short order, I think Privateer has a damn good shot at the title.

Is it true that if you sleep on the offshore legs you’ll lose?

You have to get some sleep otherwise I think you’d actually be less competitive, but certainly you need to stay focused on the race as much as possible to win.

Because of the limited number of sails you’re allowed to carry how does sail preservation and damage figure in your strategy?

Somewhat figures into the sail change decisions but also sail construction needs to be factored in. The sailmaker needs to build to an offshore spec, not the around-the-buoy spec to ensure they make it to the finish line.

Miscellaneous

What is your favourite sports team?

I don’t watch sports, or even own a TV, so don’t follow any sports teams.

What is your favourite type of music?

EDM

What your favourite song?

Darius’ latest album is fantastic; Pyor is probably my favourite track so far.

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you want to meet?

Scott Fitzgerald

What’s your favorite thing to eat when you’re offshore? Least favourite?

My favourite freeze-dried food changes several times per year but right now it is Mountain House Spaghetti. I don’t eat things I don’t like offshore so don’t have a least favourite.

What is your favourite movie line?

“We’re going to need a bigger boat.”

What do you do to relax during your free time?

Relax? I can relax when I’m dead.

Do you have any hidden talents?

Pool hopping