Story from Michael "Sumo" O'Regan

 Story from Michael "Sumo" O'Regan - Ex Team Group 4 Sailor

I had the pleasure of knowing Philip when I became a crew member on the yacht “Group 4 Securitas” in the original British Steel Challenge Race back in 1992. I remember our first meeting at the London Boat show when the Group 4 crew met Philip for the first time. His drive, passion and enthusiasm was there for me to see why he had been successful in life. It was infectious and made you want to win the race not just for yourself but for him too.

This was the start of a long love affair with sailing which I was very lucky to have been a part of for a few years. Towards the end of the race Philip decided to buy the boat as he could not bear the thought of of the Group 4 logo being stripped off the boat at the end of the race. He then therefore needed a crew to run the yacht and I was lucky enough to have been asked and therefore joined the Group 4 family.

I have a lovely family today thanks to my involvement with Philip, another match from the Challenge! There are so many memories with fun and laughter and I always smile when I think of them. If I had to pick one, it is most probably a week in the summer of 1994.

Philip wanted the yacht to go to Skagen to show us what a beautiful place it is. He joined us on the sail across the North Sea along with a number of people including Mark. I can picture Philip now walking around the deck with his cigar (we allowed him this luxury, it was his yacht after all!) and camera at the ready.

He was suppose to be off watch one afternoon but as Mark was on my watch he did not want to miss the opportunity of capturing Mark at work. So every move that Mark made to grab a winch was captured :-) (Sorry Mark, I still smile about it)

When we got to Skagen, Philip insisted on being our personal tourist guide. We were due to go to his house but could not all fit into his new convertible car on a beautiful sunny day. We had started to arrange for a taxi to take us all but he was having none of that. He told all of us to wait while he did a couple of round trips as our personal chauffeur.

We all had a great time that week and quickly appreciated how beautiful Skagen is and what a wonderful friend we had as a boss. I will always remember this and have been privileged to have known a great man.

Thanks Philip for helping me achieve my dreams and believing in me and thank you for the wonderful memories.

You will be greatly missed.