Yachting: Tiller a name to remember

William Tiller. Photo / Supplied

His surname indicates he was born to sail. William Tiller's team's name - Full Metal Jacket - suggests they just might fire in the world match racing tour.

Tiller is the latest sailing hopeful from this country out to take on the world. European observers shake their heads over the precocious talent of our young sailors, wondering why their cashed-up federations can't produce youngsters made of similar stuff. Part of the reason is the fact that, if from the Antipodes, you have to be fully committed to make it.

While the rest of New Zealand bunkers down for the onset of winter, Tiller and his team have put jobs and university on hold and head away this week to Europe and the US. They hope to race in at least 20 regattas over six months and will visit France, Italy, Estonia, Germany, Russia and Sweden among other nations.

"It is our first time overseas for such an extended period," says Tiller. "It should be a bit of an experience - especially living by ourselves for the first time and away from home.

They intend to stay with host families at regattas as well as backpacker hostels, and the five-man crew also hope to stay at the family home of crew member Shaun Mason, who is English.

The 21-year-old Tiller is the skipper of the Full Metal Jacket team, named after a sponsor's favourite film.

Following in the impressive footsteps of Adam Minoprio and Phil Robertson, Tiller has qualified for next month's opening event of the 2011 World Match Racing Tour - Match Race Germany.

Full Metal Jacket first competed on the WMRT tour in last year's Danish Open, coming away slightly disappointed with a 10th placing. They were pipped on the line by Peter Gilmour in their final race, which sent them out of the final stages. "Our goal for Germany is to make the quarter finals," says Tiller. "Last time we were just a little bit inexperienced with the boats - even though we beat a couple of the top guys - this time we know what to expect."

The Wellington youngster relishes the chance to lock horns with the established names.

"We are the underdogs and there is no real pressure on us," says Tiller. "You give it your best shot and it is awesome if you get in front of the big guns. We never get intimidated by them - we like the challenge."

Tiller leaves with rare form, having skippered Flash Gordon to victory in the prestigious Harken Young National Championships raced off Rangitoto Island, beating home the dubiously named Raging Hormones.

He also has victories in the Hardy Cup (Sydney), Warren Jones regatta (Perth) and has twice won the Governor's Cup in California.

Tiller's sailing career started when he was thrown into a Starburst by his father as a six-year-old. After winning his first youth regatta in Sydney in 2008, he realised that the sport could become a career.

Along with his crew of Harry Thurston, Shaun Mason, Daniel Powley and Jono Spurdle, Tiller is a graduate of the famed Royal NZ Yacht Squadron youth programme.

After 'auditioning' plenty of different sailors over the last two years, Tiller thinks now they have found the right makeup on the board.

"It is crucial that everyone is on the same wavelength about each situation," says Tiller. "You can anticipate what each person is doing the more you get along and it helps with the really quick decisions you have to make sometimes."

While most of the other crew have various nicknames, the skipper is simply saddled with his surname.

"It is pretty funny that I am a sailor and my last name is Tiller," he says. "That is probably the biggest thing I get stick about."