Story by Humphrey Walters

I remember meeting this great bear of a man when I first volunteered for the BT Global Challenege. I loved his enthusiasm and the more ebullient he became the less articulate his English. There shouold be a Philip Sorenson dictionary created with his sayings.

He didnt really need a lot of language becuase his enthusiasm and particularly his smile were all that was needed to feel the warmth, humility, friendliness and sheer love of people that Philip stood for. He loved his crew meembes on the Group 4 yacht and they were almost his children.

After the race I continued oue acquantaince and I used to use Fourways as a training centre. I would always pop in and see Philip and despite an important meeting he would always give me instant time and interrupt what he was doing. Anyone who had done the BT Global Challenege regardless of which yacht they were on was always a hero to him. We both loved aeroplanes so that was always a constant source of conversation.

A few years ago I was driving on my way to see him when I got a phone call in my car to say he had been admitted as an emergency to hospital with diabetes. I was extremely shocked yet he handled this wiht customary enthusiasm and a big cigar when he was better.

He was a hero , a friend and an example to many of the power of the human spirit and human kindness.I shall always rememeber and think of him with a smile on my face. He touched my life.

God Speed
Humphrey Walters