December 8, 2006

December: Pontus Meijer, Sailor

When Time Magazine chose “You” as man of the year, posting a mirror on its cover, it was nothing less than pure geniality. Recipe for men believes in mirrors as well, but our man of the month in December is not You. It’s a sailing computer salesman by the name of Pontus Meijer.

It’s a very merry snowless Christmas here in Sweden. And to be quite honest, it kind of sucks. Every sensible Swede should leave for warmer countries to enjoy the sun far away from this skin-drying plague we call a climate. So what makes more sense than devoting this month’s interview to sailing. Meet Pontus Meijer, a sailing computer sales man with a lust for life.

His correct job title would be 'key account manager IT sales'. But since these kinds of euphemisms are banned in Recipe for men's manual of corporate language I'm not allowed to write that. Anyway, this is supposed to be about sailing - which is something that Pontus Meijer has done for most of his life.

The 32 year old Gothenburg native started out at the age of seven, and has been an addict ever since. In 1997 he won the Nordic championships in E-dinghy (a type of single-handed dinghy) and in 1998 he finished 13th on the world championships in the same class. The following two years he sailed the world cup in the 470 class. But since 2000 his main focus has been on match racing, sailing the world cup with skippers like Björn Hanssen, Mattias Rahm and Roy Heiner.

Pontus' sailing resume is truly impressive, but what's even more remarkable is the fact that he never turned pro. In the late nineties he studied at the Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg and since 2001 he has pursued a professional career in IT sales. Sailing in the world cup is just something that he does 'on the side'.

You have combined sailing on a very high level with a professional career for almost 6 years now. How is that possible?

It has worked out surprisingly well. I feel extremely privileged to be able to pursue a professional career and at the same time getting invited to top international competitions where most of the participants are fulltime professionals. But of course, over the years I’ve heard some not so nice words from my colleagues and bosses. That’s something you have to deal with.

A so called ‘balanced life style’ is very trendy right now. I think that means balancing career, free-time and the whole family thing. Do you believe you live a balanced life?

Not really. My family and my girl friend have had to suffer a bit I guess. Mostly because I’ve devoted most of my spare time and vacations to sailing. It never feels good when you have to down-prioritize something which is important. But that’s what I’ve done.

So what’s so great about sailing. What’s the big turn on?

For me it’s definitely the competitive side. When it comes to the sailing experience I prefer a cold, windy September day in Sweden to a sunny day with light winds in Bermuda.

What’s the most beautiful place you have ever sailed on?

Oh, that’s a though one. It’s incredible beautiful at the small mountain lakes of Switzerland, like St. Moritz for instance. But I must say that nothing beats a windy summer day during the finals of the Swedish Match Cup at Marstrand in Sweden, when there are some 30 000 people cheering you on.

That sounds like a big party. How do I prepare for such an occasion?

Huh?

I mean, how do you impress the ladies at Marstrand if you’re not a professional sailor?

Ah, now I understand what you’re after. Always wear shorts and a sailing jacket, preferably a team jacket from one of the Americas Cup teams, like New Zeeland, Alinghi or Prada. To tell a good story is never wrong either. Tell them that you just arrived back from a night sailing outside of Denmark - 30 knots wind speed and 30 foot waves. You ‘broached’ and it was damn nice.

(Editors remark: Broaching is a sudden change in heading angle of a sailboat, towards the wind, due to the aerodynamic force on the rig greatly exceeding the hydrodynamic force on the hull, usually due to a sudden increase in wind strength. Broaching is not always ‘damn nice’.)

Are sailors vain?

Both yes and no. Like most sports men, sailors can look extremely dirty and rough. But that’s part of the image. The next day you might see them strutting around in club blazers.

What about the zinc paste? Why do all sailors smear their faces with that white, greasy stuff when there are so many good sun screen products on the market?

I don’t know. I used to do that too, but then I discovered Recipe for men’s sun protection. Now I’m definitely over zinc paste (laugh).

(Editors remark: We didn’t even pay him to say that.)

Thanks a lot, which other skincare products do you use?

A shaving gel and a moisturizer of course, and sometimes a facial scrub as well.

Which product would you never use?

Dubbeldusch!

(Editors remark: Dubbeldusch (Dobbeldusch) is a classic low price shower product combining schampoo and hair balm in one bottle. The product name translates 'Double shower'.)

Recipe for men’s man of the month in December

Name: Pontus Meijer.

Age: 32.

Family: Girlfriend.

Occupation: Key Account IT sales, semi pro sailor.

Vanity level: 3.5 - He has skipped the zinc paste and he exfoliates regularly, which is good. But what about the shorts and the club blazer!?

Enjoys on his spare time: Skiing, hanging out with friends, drinking beer.

Wish for the new year: Some fresh snow in the French alps.

Favourite place on earth: The Swedish west coast during the summer.

Looks up to: Russel Coutts (A New Zealand–born competitive sailor who by many is concidered to be the best match racer in the world).

The world’s most beautiful man: Probably Christian Bale.