Know the Sailors: Steve Mitchell
Steve Mitchell, born Dorking, UK. Highest SSL Ranking: VIP
Iain Percy & Steve Mitchell won the 2002 Star World Championships in Los Angeles, and medalled in the next three consecutive Star World Championships, taking Bronze in Cadiz, Gaeta and Buenos Aires. In 2003, Percy & Mitchell were number one in the ISAF sailing world rankings for the Star Class and represented Great Britain at the 
2004 Olympic Games in Athens finishing sixth. In 2005, the British duo won the Star European Championship in Varberg, Sweden. Away from the Star Class, Steve has won the Etchells World Championship and is a twice winner of the Etchells European Championship. Steve has coached the Russian Sailing Team and moved to Canada in 2011 with his family, as high performance coach for the Canadian Sailing Team. The 2015 SSL Finals in Nassau, will be Steve’s first appearance in the competition and he will be competing with multiple world match racing champion, Ian Williams.
SSL: If you weren’t a sportsperson, what would you be?
SM: Either a coach or a house renovator.
SSL: What is the greatest sacrifice you have had to make in order to achieve success?
SM: Family time, with two young kids who grow up quickly it is precious time to sacrifice, my wife Deirdre is a super mum!
SSL: What animal fascinates you?
SM: The giraffe, which is so tall and just seem to chill out all the time.
SSL: What kind of a person makes you happy or angry?
SM: People who are selfish or late make me angry, people with attention to detail and the right attitude make me happy.
SSL: What was is your favourite memory from another sport?
SM: Being captain of my school rugby team, it is the ultimate team sport and has all the right principles of sportsmanship and respect built in.
SSL: What film inspires you?
SM: I love sports movies about underdogs, like Cool Runnings; inspirational stuff!
SSL: Is there any specific technique you use when competing to help motivate yourself?
SM: Just picturing the ultimate goal, be it a championship win or a medal, you have to have the motivation inside otherwise you have no chance.
SSL: If you could invite people through history for dinner, who would you choose?
SM: Paul Elvstrom for his stories and innovation, Winston Churchill for his leadership, James Hunt (1976 F1 world champ) for the party, Bob Marley for the music.
SSL: How many Gold Medals or World Championships is ‘enough’?
SM: One puts you in a very elite group of sailing legends, any more than that just show that the first wasn’t a fluke!
SSL: A child asks you if Santa Claus is real, what do you say?
SM: Yes of course, Santa always leaves presents under the tree every year!
SSL: If you could have a super hero special power what would it be?
SM: Time travel, it would solve so many problems.
 1-6 December 2015 – The third edition of the SSL Finals will take place in Nassau, Bahamas
 All SSL events use a qualifying competition followed by a knock-out system. Teams take part in the qualifying rounds, which is a series of races over three days. The top 11 teams progress to the knock-out stage, which has four stages. In one-off races teams are eliminated, until just four teams remain to contest the final. The winner takes home a big slice of the $200,000 Prize Purse.
Watch all the action live from the Star Sailors League Final. With expert commentary from special studio guests. On the water, the latest in hi-tech camera technology, as well as Virtual Eye 3D Graphics, will provide thrilling viewing. Armchair sailors can also join the race with Virtual Regatta.
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