The world of professional sailing is becoming a very busy place, and even for those at the top of our sport, juggling multiple full time campaigns is quite the circus act. When your passion becomes your profession, you have to make truly difficult business decisions that sometimes go against where the passion drives you. The right decision can define what makes a professional athlete.
Phil Robertson, back-to-back defending champion of GKSS Match Cup Sweden, was faced with a tough decision and, sadly for the fans in Marstrand, will not be attending this year’s event.
“We are gutted to not be able to come back and defend our title. Match Cup Sweden is our favourite event of the year and it hurts to have to miss it. I spend all my downtime in Gothenburg so it has become a home event for me.
“Unfortunately we have other contracts and focuses and this year we have a clash with another event. It is the worst possible scenario and one we’ve tried to change but that’s life sometimes. We’ll be back again though…I couldn’t imagine another year without racing in Marstrand.”
The 2016 Match Racing World Champion will certainly be missed, but with Robertson and China One Ningbo not at the competition, we are guaranteed a new GKSS Match Cup Sweden champion in 2018. See which teams will be fighting for the 2018 title HERE.