Gangsters in Paradise

by Bob Fisher on 3 Jul 2005 Einar Sissener is completely unstoppable; at 76-years old he is a highly competitive yachtsman who says, ‘I enjoy sailing - and young people in the crew inspire me.’ He added, ‘age has to do with attitude; you can say, ‘I am an old man,’ but I don’t.’ His sailing plans would confirm that.

Leading the European IMS Championship going in to the last race, Sissener revealed that he plans to attack three major championships this year. Following the IMS Europeans, he will tackle the IMS German Open Championship and follow that with the IMS World Championship, in Germany.

His preparation, that seems to be bearing fruit, included taking delivery of one of the five Grand Soleil 42Rs released this year on May 22nd, making sure that it was optimised to the latest changes in the IMS Rule, and assembling a top-class crew.

‘We have boat speed, good sails and an excellent crew; it’s the ultimate secret of our success,’ said Sissener, adding, ‘I sit at the back and shout good advice.’ At which, he burst into laughter. ‘This is a good, amateur, Norwegian crew, and we are beating the King!’

Einar Sissener went on to describe his relationship with King Harald, one that has stood the test of time and competition. ‘Last year, when Norway was celebrating its centenary [freed from union with Sweden in 1904], the IMS World Championship coincided with the May 17th date when the King had to stand on the palace balcony and wave to the crowd, and he asked me to take his boat to the World Championship in Capri.’

Things went sufficiently well for Sissener and the crew of the 1991 built Farr designed 53 footer that they finished third. ‘Yes, I want to do better than that this year in my own boat,’ he admits. And the boat is the third of his to bear the name ‘Al Capone’ and the reason for that is somewhat tortuous.

‘I am the Chairman of the Alpharma Company that is quoted on the New York Stock Exchange,’ he said by way of explanation as to where the ‘Al’ comes from. ‘The Cap is me, the Captain, and I am number one; put them together and you have ‘Al Capone.’’

The crew have taken the name one step further as Sissener displayed when he stood up and took off his jacket. There, right across the back of his shirt was the legend, ‘Gangsters in Paradise.’ By the way they are sailing, this crew is certainly capable of ‘stealing’ all the silverware available to it at this regatta, and probably more down the line.