About me

Name:
Jules Salter
Position:
Navigator
Date of Birth:
18 Dec, 1968
Height:
1.78 m
Weight:
90 kg
Born:
Newport, Isle Of Wight, UK
Nationality:
British
Marital Status:
Married

Question & answer

  • When and where did you first sail?
    When I was a nipper in Gurnard Bay.
  • What has been your proudest sailing moment?
    Helming the boat down the Solent into Portsmouth in the 2005/06 Volvo Race.
  • Can you recall your scariest moment at sea?
    Numerous incidents in classic and super yacht racing.
  • In 3 words, summarise your role on the boat
    Worrying about numbers.
  • What do you miss most when you are at sea?
    Being at home with my family.
  • How are you enjoying life in Abu Dhabi?
    Climate is nice and there is lots to do… if you get any time when you are not working.
  • Best Abu Dhabi moment?
    Reading by the hotel pool when my family came over to Abu Dhabi.
  • What do you think visitors to Abu Dhabi can expect when the yachts come in on New Year's day?
    Some very happy sailors who have made it to Abu Dhabi on time. The schedule through the vagaries of the Indian Ocean is pretty tight.
  • Which leg of the race are you most excited about and why?
    The first few hours of leg 1 to see how well the boat goes compared to the competition.
  • Who is your sailing inspiration?
    The first few hours of leg 1 to see how well the boat goes compared to the competition.
  • Are there any 'home comforts' that you'll be sneaking on board?
    No….it's a race.
  • What's the first thing you'll do when you reach port after each leg?
    Try to answer a lot of questions quickly so I can get to see my family.
  • Do you have any tips for budding young sailors who are keen to get started?
    Work hard, ask good questions.
  • What would you have done if you hadn't been a sailor?
    Worked as a lawyer.
  • How will you prepare for the race? (exercise/food/sleep)
    Some fitness training to avoid injuries when moving all the gear around the boat and study and revise navigation, meteorology and on board systems.
  • How important is winning to you?
    To go into the race without the expectation of winning means you are not going to do the job justice.
  • How will you keep morale high if you experience any difficulties. How will you keep everyone focused/entertained?
    We will experience difficulties - I think that is just the nature of the race, the challenge is dealing with them. You do that in lots of ways - determination, humour, teamwork. The desire to win and do a good job should keep the focus.
  • What is the best piece of advice you have been given about the race i.e. 'look after the boat and it will look after you'?
    Expect the unexpected.
  • What would we find under your bunk?
    A neat stack.

Meet Jules Salter

Navigator

A member of the victorious Volvo Ocean Race 2008/09 Ericsson 4 team and a runner up in the 2005/6 campaign aboard Pirates of the Caribbean, Jules, from the Isle of Wight, UK, is one of the most revered navigators in top-level yacht racing.

The 42-year-old father of two brings a wealth of experience to Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing. The team will rely on Jules’ excellent technical yachting knowledge, including race meteorology, instrument systems and racing software to help push for top honours.

my all time top 5 achievements

  • 2010 - Medcup Circuit – Emirates Team NZ – Navigator – 1st Place
  • 2010 - LV Regattas La Maddalena, Auckland – Emirates Team New Zealand – Navigator – 1st Place
  • 2008 - Volvo Ocean Race – Ericsson 4 – Navigator – 1st Place
  • 2005 - Volvo Ocean Race – Pirates of the Caribbean – Navigator –
    Runner up
  • 2000 - Olympics 470 class (Crew) - Navigator – 1st Place

A lover of maritime history, Jules – who notched up victories in the 2010 Medcup Circuit and the 2010 Louis Vuitton regattas – began sailing at aged seven at Gurnard Sailing Club, Isle Of Wight and trained as a solicitor before taking to the high-seas.