Rather than give up any of life’s little pleasures, Eddie Jordan has resolved to enjoy himself this year, on and off the water. That means “skinny bitches”, hanging out with Elvis and cheering on Sir Ben Ainslie...
I’m writing this with a slightly sore head. Each winter, just before Christmas, some old friends from Formula One and I head out to Antigua to spend a week on board my Oyster 885 Lush. The charter show is always on at the same time and each night there’s a party. Last night it was Camper & Nicholsons’ turn.
I’ve just received a note from the broker Alex Lees-Buckley, saying: “Eddie, what on earth was going on last night?” There was a band there and I played a little and it just took off. All the crews were there after tough crossings and they went mental. But we have to watch ourselves, since each morning starts at around 6am with a fitness boot camp on the shore. It’s seriously hardcore. We run up and down with chains around our waists and with weights hanging off us. And then we swim back to the boat, which is the best part of a mile offshore. Our trainer is called Elvis and he absolutely murders us.
Being out here is a great way of escaping all the motor racing madness, which has been a little madder of late with the news of Nico Rosberg’s retirement. I was completely shocked and it still hasn’t quite sunk in. I know him particularly well – we live in the same block in Monaco – and he only told his nearest and dearest of his intentions. But remember that he’s been in F1 for 10 years and probably has more money than he could ever spend.
There’s this old Irish saying: “More money than time.” But top marks to him for doing it. I see him walking with his wife and baby on the promenade in Monaco and having kids makes you reconsider things sometimes. He achieved the ultimate goal in racing, and he’s leaving as the world champion. I say to everybody: “Make sure you give the sport up. Don’t let the sport give you up.”
It’s that time of year when everyone starts talking about New Year’s resolutions, but I’ve never been big on them. I don’t smoke and, for me, promising not to drink again is just nonsense. But I have committed to taking better care of myself, and Elvis is a part of
that – even if it bloody hurts. I’m trying to eat and drink better, too. I’m into “skinny bitches” now – just vodka, lime and soda. No sugar!
Instead of making crazy resolutions, I can talk about all the things I’m looking forward to this year. There’s a few things I always do – the Oyster Regatta, the St Barths Bucket, the Voiles de Saint-Tropez, the Superyacht Cup in Palma, and I’ll invariably get an invitation to race at Cowes. I probably spend at least 30 days a year on board, which is pretty good considering my schedule. After my circumnavigation I thought I’d never want to see a boat again, but it’s been quite the opposite! The big one – the huge highlight – is the America’s Cup in Bermuda.
I’ve been a huge fan and friend of Sir Ben Ainslie’s for a very long time and I’ve worked with his wife Georgie Ainslie on TV. I even raced with him a few years ago in the Louis Vuitton Cup in Nice. I’m seriously thinking of having Lush there for the duration. It’s such a cool little island, this tiny dot in the ocean. And the sailing should be amazing. Right, I’m off for a lie down on deck. I have to prepare myself for tonight (and tomorrow morning).
Eddie Jordan’s fee for this column has been donated to charity.