Finland Australia Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
Finn of the Month: Ludde Ingvall
We met with Sydney based Finnish born Ludde Ingvall who is one of the most experienced and successful ocean racing yachtsmen on the international scene. His notable achievements include line honours in the Sydney-Hobart race in 2000 and 2004, the Fastnet Race in 1995, World Championship titles in 1997 and 1998, and the transatlantic monohull record in 1997. For his remarkable efforts, Ludde has been awarded twice with the title of Yachtsman of the Year by the Swedish Sailing Association, both in 1995 and 2000. "I've been lucky - I've been able to devote much of my life to the one thing I enjoy above all else", says Ludde Ingvall. He has lived in a number of places around the world, but after winning the 2000 Sydney-Hobart race, he and his family moved to Australia. They now own a small farm north of Sydney, which Ludde, his wife and their three daughters share with three horses and four dogs.
What sparked your interest in sailing?
I was born on an island in the Finnish Archipelago where the only way to get on and off the island was by boat. My father and family sailed a lot every summer in the islands and my father competed in the sport.
What is a typical day for you?
If we are in training for a competition I hit the gym around 6.30 am and meet the crew at 8 am for a briefing and weather report. We define our objectives for the day and then spend that day trying to achieve them. We finish around 3 pm, clean the boat and set the plan for the next day.
If I am not sailing I am at my farm on the Central Coast; mowing the lawn and shovelling horse poo and trying to think of anything else but sailing.
Can you give examples of some objectives you would set for the crew?
We have a very systematic approach to how we run the boat. Each person has individually dedicated tasks based on their expertise. A person who is in charge of sails, or computers, or mast and so on report to me. They define their own objectives for their daily job list according to the specific tests that need to be done. For example the sail master will have a list of sails he would like to test during the day depending on the weather. The weather dictates our objectives and everyday on board is very different because of this.
It sounds like you run the boat like a corporation; what things you have learned in sailing that can be related in to business life?
The boat is like a corporation, we have 30 young, very talented, ambitious achievers, with big egos and they all want my job. Great human resource management and leadership skills are the major tools to find the way to make the team pull the same rope. You need to identify everyone's dreams and ambitions to support their objectives. If you get everyone to agree you will get great results.
When I started my BigBoatRacing business we had one small boat and no funding. At best we had 3 boats with great sponsors. Our team was collectively successful, we got better salaries and instead of one management position for a skipper we created 3 positions for skippers in 3 boats as well as 3 navigators and 9 watch captain positions. This collective success also creates the possibility for crewmembers to gain senior positions on other racing teams worldwide. As my team has won numerous awards such as the Sydney to Hobart in 2000 and 2004, World Championship titles in 1997 and 1999 and the Fastnet Race in 1985 and 1995, we are a very strong reference.
Human resource management is essential as you need to make the team members feel good about themselves and make them feel that they are contributing to a collective success as well as taking steps towards their own objectives. Many sponsors have commented on our teamwork-wishing to implement our example to their own business. It is useless to waste energy on corporate politics and disagreements if you want to be successful and achieve great results.
Other things like creating right management structures- such as giving members their own responsibility, investing in research and development by developing and testing new products are also an important part of our management.
What do you think Finland and Australia have in common?
I would like to compare Scandinavia as a region and Australia and New Zealand as a region. We find many similarities such as social responsibility, social fairness and social unity. We have similar welfare state structures. It is very easy as a Nordic person to interact with Australians and New Zealanders. We enjoy each other's company, we have similar humour, and feel respected and well received here. Finns feel very welcome here as Australians feel welcome in Finland. It is a very special relationship as we are on opposite sides of the world, yet still have a close bond.
Besides sailing, what are your greatest passions/pleasures?
I enjoy skiing and go regularly to Thredbo. I enjoy a good home entertainment system; I like listening to music and watching moves. I love to spend time at my farm on the Central Coat with my family and seeing my children excel in their sport, which is horse riding. It is great to see that they put as much passion into their hobby as I do in sailing. I enjoy Australian food and wine and the company of my friends.
You and your family have lived in Australia since 2001. What do you miss about Finland?
Not much honestly speaking, because I love it here! But of course I do miss my friends and family; your network of friends and relatives disappear when you move to a different country. I miss beautiful crisp winter days and midsummer's white nights in the archipelago. And our funny foods such as liver casserole (maksalaatikko) and crayfish parties in August. I do get back once or twice a year and with today's technology, such as emailing, you feel that you are never too far away. I also listen to and read Finnish news on the Internet to keep up to date.
What is your favourite Australian thing?
I spend a lot of time at my farm; sitting on the veranda drinking a cup of tea and watching sun rises and sun sets and admiring the nature. I bought a digital camera 3 years ago and have been capturing Australia's very special flora and fauna on camera. I love Australian nature and never get tired of it.
Ludde Ingvall was interviewed by Satu Raunola
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