Full Name:

Ivan Tan

Nicknames:

Crazy Iwanz

Date of Birth:

18 August 1972

Place of Birth:

Singapore

Class of Boat:

Match Racing

Sailing Partner:

Roy Tay, Chung Pei Ming, Justin Wong, Teo Wee Chin

Profession:

Motor sport technician

Schools attended:

St. Steven’s Primary, St. Patrick’s Secondary School, Curtin University

When did you start sailing?

12

Summary of sailing career:

Started sailing in an optimist at a junior sailing club as part of a school programme and gradually moved on from there. When I was about 16, I had the opportunity to sail on keelboats and sailed dinghies & keelboats, since then I’ve been sailing primarily on keelboats and have been part of several professional big boat programmes, the most notable of which was the Nicorette Big Boat Racing programme where I was the second bowman.

Why did you take up sailing?

Always loved the water, an opportunity came along at school so I thought I’d give it a go and see what happens.

What was your first boat?

Topper

What class did you first race?

Optimist

How much time do you spend on the water each week?

Currently, approximately three days a week

Why did you take up (your current class of boat)?

I was drawn to match racing mainly due to the close “in your face” style of racing, as well as the need for tactics and entire crew work to be spot on, races are often won and lost by inches. Also crews use identical yachts so wins and losses are entirely up to the crew.

How long have you sailed this class?

Been sailing keelboats for the last 12 years, but only been match racing seriously for the last 6 months.

What is your favourite venue?

Phuket

When was your first win (list event)?

Phuket King’s Cup in 1994 (I think)

What is the single most important piece of sailing advice you could give to a young sailor?

Never stop learning. There is always someone better, faster and smarter to learn from.

What would you be doing if you were not sailing?

Probably racing cars

Aspirations in sailing:

To be part of an America’s Cup campaign

Your sailing hero:

Ian Bashford

Other interests and hobbies:

Motor sport, photography, downhill mountain biking