Team String Theory
With over 25 Vic-Maui Races under their belts, the Team put together by John and Marie Mortimer are no strangers to Offshore racing. With that said, the mix of personalities from jokers, moral boosters, speed demons, military style Type A teachers, and yes even the common sense sailors that throttle back the boat so we don't break everything, make up this motley crew. There are some offshore newbies for 2016 to provide a healthy virgin excitement for the hardened vets as well.
But one thing very much in common with this crew is their passion for boat speed and the drive for success. No one gets to slack off on this Race and we each know it. Extreme fatigue, seasickness, and mental anguish are all dealt with while still pushing the boat for the top spot in Maui.
You see the Mortimer's have a dream. After finishing First in their Division and only second overall by a measly 5 hours to one ULDB planing hull boat in the 2014 Vic-Maui Race, John and Marie want the top spot in 2016. First overall! And with the Team they have assembled their dream is achievable.
John Mortimer - Skipper / Owner
Filling the position as skipper and notable the most important position on the boat, is John Mortimer. John is the third world class sailor aboard String Theory having demonstrated his talent in the Taser Class dinghy at the 1983 and 1989 Worlds. John started sailing in 1968 in his homeland of England and brings a wealth of sailing and mechanical skills to the Team. There is not much on the boat that John cannot fix and his fierce competitive spirit developed from his motorcycle racing days, will also help keep the Team focused on the prize. Both of these attributes are handy as he is the boat owner and the one signing the cheques.
All kidding aside John has been racing keelboats in the Vancouver area for over 20 years with 3 previous Vic-Maui races to add to his resume. In 2016 John will be competing in his second Vic-Maui Race since purchasing the boat in 2012, and what an honor that will be for him to make fast the lines in Lahaina, Maui.
All kidding aside John has been racing keelboats in the Vancouver area for over 20 years with 3 previous Vic-Maui races to add to his resume. In 2016 John will be competing in his second Vic-Maui Race since purchasing the boat in 2012, and what an honor that will be for him to make fast the lines in Lahaina, Maui.
Gunnar Jonsson - Navigator / Watch Captain
Gunnar Jonsson, watch captain and navigator of String Theory, Born in Canada he is very acquainted with the North Pacific waters. He has helmed race boats since 1989 and has a resume to match any top local sailor having competed in 50+ classic inshore and offshore races such as the Swiftsure, Southern Straits and Van Isle 360. This goes along with 50+ days a year on the water competing in club races. The crew is very excited to have Gunnar as watch captain/navigator in his 5th race to Maui. Don’t forget his impressive record of two 1st places and two 2nd places in the Vic-Maui race.
Currently semi-retired as a communications engineer Mr. Jonsson looks forward to another 1st to celebrate in 2016 in Lahaina.
Dave Maskell - Mastman
Dave is relatively new to sailing having started cruising in the Gulf Island area in 2006. He competed in the 2012 and 2014 Vic-Maui Races with 4 other crew members of String Theory and we all agree that we do not want to go to sea again without him onboard. Dave demonstrated his talents as a quick learner and keen ability to work in extreme environments. He became known as the “workhorse” of the crew by climbing the mast and hanging off the transom to make repairs all while the rest of the crew kept the boat moving at top speed. Dave also did the challenging return trip from Maui to add to his offshore miles. I guess we can say that Dave is no longer new to sailing and time to up his game in 2016. Competing in his third Vic-Maui Race Dave is excited to reunite with the Team and place well in the 2016 challenge.
Don McFarlane - Driver
As Don has proven in the 2010, 2012 and 2014 Vic-Maui Races, that he has a remarkable talent for driving the sailboat in offshore conditions. Always pushing the boat hard and keeping her gracefully moving forward. He started sailing in 1975 on the Great Lakes in various dinghy classes and was instantly successful as he competed in the 1976 Canadian Olympic trials in Kingston, ON. From there things only got better as Mr. McFarlane placed well on the North American and World sailing scene as he placed 11th at the International Contender World Championships in 1986.
More recently Don has taken a liking to offshore keelboat racing and rightfully so having competed in the three most recent Vic - Maui Races as well as several inshore classics in Pacific Northwest area.
Tim Mastel-Marr - Foredeck
Let’s not forget Tim with over 20 years of sailing experience. Tim is a very energetic and dynamic crew member having abilities to drive the boat down ocean surf or pull lines from the cockpit. He is equally capable in problem solving and contributing to the overall workload required when offshore racing. Tim’s passion is on the front of the boat or at the mast and will be invaluable during the many sail changes. During the 2014 Race he did find himself confidently helming the boat in 48 knots of wind as String Theory was swallowed by a tropical storm. Did I mention that Tim has conquered the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In 2010 he competed in the ARC crossing the Atlantic, and he raced to Hawaii in 2010, 2012 and 2014. He has also sailed in the Caribbean and amongst the best in the world in New Zealand. Tim is excited to be making his fourth run to Hawaii aboard String Theory!
Steve Dillen - Navigator / Tactician
Steve has been on boats his whole life and decided to learn to sail a sabot at age 10. In the 1990s and early 2000s he actively participated in the Southern California and Pacific Northwest racing scenes, competing in Whidbey Island Race Week, Southern Straits, Swiftsure as well as local club and single-handed events. After stepping out of racing for a number of years, he has a renewed focus in distance racing and has competed in most PNW distance races since 2013 (including double-handing String Theory with John in the 2015 AYC Northern Century race).
Vic-Maui 2016 will be his first offshore event, however his diverse sailing experience, his background in mechanical and electrical system maintenance as well as his calm approach toward prioritizing and addressing challenges make him a welcome addition to this year's team.
Steve is thrilled to be a member of the Team String Theory and absolutely focused on finding that extra 10th of a knot of boatspeed the team needs to be first in 2016.
Steve has been on boats his whole life and decided to learn to sail a sabot at age 10. In the 1990s and early 2000s he actively participated in the Southern California and Pacific Northwest racing scenes, competing in Whidbey Island Race Week, Southern Straits, Swiftsure as well as local club and single-handed events. After stepping out of racing for a number of years, he has a renewed focus in distance racing and has competed in most PNW distance races since 2013 (including double-handing String Theory with John in the 2015 AYC Northern Century race).
Vic-Maui 2016 will be his first offshore event, however his diverse sailing experience, his background in mechanical and electrical system maintenance as well as his calm approach toward prioritizing and addressing challenges make him a welcome addition to this year's team.
Steve is thrilled to be a member of the Team String Theory and absolutely focused on finding that extra 10th of a knot of boatspeed the team needs to be first in 2016.
Dan Tresa - Trimmer
With over 35 years of racing experience on the West Coast, Dan will be embarking on his first Vic-Maui Race. His resume boasts a variety of crewing positions in annual races such as the Van Isle 360, Swiftsure, Whidbey Island Race Week, and Southern Straits as well as several local club races. Along with his wife, Dan cruises the Gulf Islands every summer on their Catalina 320 and has chartered boats in San Diego and the Caribbean. He enjoys trim and tactics and is both excited and honoured to be a part of the String Theory crew.
With over 35 years of racing experience on the West Coast, Dan will be embarking on his first Vic-Maui Race. His resume boasts a variety of crewing positions in annual races such as the Van Isle 360, Swiftsure, Whidbey Island Race Week, and Southern Straits as well as several local club races. Along with his wife, Dan cruises the Gulf Islands every summer on their Catalina 320 and has chartered boats in San Diego and the Caribbean. He enjoys trim and tactics and is both excited and honoured to be a part of the String Theory crew.
Keturah Witter - Pit / Driver
Keturah grew up sailing in the San Juans and Gulf Islands, and while she can attribute her sea legs to those days, she can certainly say her sailing skills come from racing. This is Keturah's first Vic Maui and she is very excited....what would life be without an ocean crossing? Keturah has been racing since 2010, and has enjoyed multiples Swiftsures, Round the Counties, Southern Straits, Oregon Offshores, one Van Isle 360, and many, many club races and larger regattas in the Puget Sound area. In 2012, Keturah went to Australia to compete in the international Pac Rim Regatta. She is looking forward to competing with String Theory this year, and is looking forward to seeing all the other competitors in Victoria and on the other side....in Maui!!
Keturah grew up sailing in the San Juans and Gulf Islands, and while she can attribute her sea legs to those days, she can certainly say her sailing skills come from racing. This is Keturah's first Vic Maui and she is very excited....what would life be without an ocean crossing? Keturah has been racing since 2010, and has enjoyed multiples Swiftsures, Round the Counties, Southern Straits, Oregon Offshores, one Van Isle 360, and many, many club races and larger regattas in the Puget Sound area. In 2012, Keturah went to Australia to compete in the international Pac Rim Regatta. She is looking forward to competing with String Theory this year, and is looking forward to seeing all the other competitors in Victoria and on the other side....in Maui!!
Mike Copps - Foredeck
Mike began sailing seriously after sailing on Lake Ontario in 1994 on an intro day-sail. Moved to Vancouver from Calgary in 1997 since it became too far to go to sail often and you can’t on snow anyway. After arriving in Vancouver joined the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron to take safe navigation courses and eventually became an instructor. I joined the Vancouver Rowing Club and sailed an Islander 30 when not deep in bowels maintaining its systems. I was invited to join a crew on a C&C 42 after seeing them race and casually mentioning that it looked like fun! The real education began then. After a year I moved to Havoc a C&C SR33 with many more strings to pull. After many encouraging and helpful sessions I was relegated to the bow and raced with the crew year long competing in The Southern Straits, Swiftsure(s), Round The Counties, VARC series, Snowflake, Halibut Bank, Polar Bear, SunTan, SOAR …. and more.
Invited to join String Theory to help with crew prep for the 2014 Vic Maui the call of the tropics was heard and after their success in 2014 joined the crew for the 2016 campaign. Other future plans are Round Vancouver Island and The Northwest Passage on a Fraser 36.
Mike began sailing seriously after sailing on Lake Ontario in 1994 on an intro day-sail. Moved to Vancouver from Calgary in 1997 since it became too far to go to sail often and you can’t on snow anyway. After arriving in Vancouver joined the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron to take safe navigation courses and eventually became an instructor. I joined the Vancouver Rowing Club and sailed an Islander 30 when not deep in bowels maintaining its systems. I was invited to join a crew on a C&C 42 after seeing them race and casually mentioning that it looked like fun! The real education began then. After a year I moved to Havoc a C&C SR33 with many more strings to pull. After many encouraging and helpful sessions I was relegated to the bow and raced with the crew year long competing in The Southern Straits, Swiftsure(s), Round The Counties, VARC series, Snowflake, Halibut Bank, Polar Bear, SunTan, SOAR …. and more.
Invited to join String Theory to help with crew prep for the 2014 Vic Maui the call of the tropics was heard and after their success in 2014 joined the crew for the 2016 campaign. Other future plans are Round Vancouver Island and The Northwest Passage on a Fraser 36.
Paul Thompson - Trimmer
Paul might be one of the youngest and a virgin to all things Vic - Maui but he has been racing dinghy’s for the last 25 years over the pond. He’s participated in national to world championship level regattas. Paul left the dinghy sailing mecca of UK for Canada in 2013 after a year out stuck in Edmonton he arrived to the waters of the Pacific Ocean where he decided to take up yacht racing in the super competitive BC fleet. After a season and a half racing on the Georgia Strait he set his sights on the next big race. Vic - Maui!
Paul might be one of the youngest and a virgin to all things Vic - Maui but he has been racing dinghy’s for the last 25 years over the pond. He’s participated in national to world championship level regattas. Paul left the dinghy sailing mecca of UK for Canada in 2013 after a year out stuck in Edmonton he arrived to the waters of the Pacific Ocean where he decided to take up yacht racing in the super competitive BC fleet. After a season and a half racing on the Georgia Strait he set his sights on the next big race. Vic - Maui!
Marie Mortimer - Team Manager
The team would not be complete without shore support and a Team Manager. Marie was involved during the 2012 and 2014 Vic-Maui race where she was responsible for the provisioning of the boat together with John.
For the 2016 race Marie will take on a much larger role looking after the administrative side of organizing the race. Marie will also be part of the return delivery crew bring the String Theory back from Maui to Vancouver, similar to her contribution in 2014.
For the 2016 race Marie will take on a much larger role looking after the administrative side of organizing the race. Marie will also be part of the return delivery crew bring the String Theory back from Maui to Vancouver, similar to her contribution in 2014.
Team String Theory
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