WITH both arms raised in a defiant victory pose, a 21-year-old Tony Philp looks directly at photographers on the beaches of Henley, in Adelaide, Australia and gave a determined smile.
The young boy from Fiji had just beaten the top de la creme of world class windsurfers from around the world to win the 1991 Windsurfer World Championships — his first international title.
It was a look that would later define his winning in the coming years.
Philp would later go on to win 13 individual Windsurfer World titles including four overall world titles and represented Fiji to the Olympics five times from 1984 to 2000.
He was the youngest windsurfer to take part in the 1984 Olympics at aged 15 and later topped the ISAF (International Sailing Association Federation) world-ranking list for Olympic windsurfing in 1997.
“The fear of losing is what always pushed me,” the now 47-year-old said from his home in France.
“I developed a genuine dislike for losing while growing up.”
For a sport that has very little following in Fiji, its a wonder that Philp and his family kept up with its special equipment, which had to be imported.
The 5ft-9 rugged surfer had been competing internationally from a very young age, as early as age seven when he used to sail with his father Anthony Philp in New Caledonia while racing hobie cats and racing optimist (dinghy).
He competed at his first World Championship at 19 years of age in 1989 where he finished second (vice world champion).
“My father influenced me more than anyone,” Philp said.
“He was the first (and in fact only) person to import windsurfing equipment into Fiji. He was also instrumental in organising most of the races around the country and used to provide me with equipment.
“Without him I probably would not have taken the sport so seriously neither accomplished as much as I did.
“Being a world champion is something special. To be the very best in the world — only another world champion could understand or relate to that.
“Obviously it was very satisfying for me and gave me comfort in the fact that all the hard work I had put into my training and sport had paid off.”
Now a brand ambassador for international outdoor magazine The Outdoor Journal, Philp keeps busy as a consultant for the International Surfing Association.
He is also a successful businessman. Looking back on his sporting prowess, Philp says he has a lot of fond memories.
“If I had to choose a few, I would probably say the world championships in New Caledonia in 1999 was special even though I finished second, narrowly missing out on the world title in the last race.
“That was the year before the Olympics in Sydney and the level of the competition was at the highest probably than at any other time in the history of the sport.
“Pumping was legal and Olympic windsurfers were without a doubt one of the fittest athletes of any Olympic sport. Most athletes tend to peak the year before the Olympics.
“So to get such a result under these circumstances in probably the most competitive and fittest fleet in any windsurfing event in history at the time is and was a real honour. Also for that particular event, the conditions were close to perfect (20-25 knots trade winds) which made the racing even more exhilarating and fun.
“Another event I hold close to heart is the Trade Wind Trophy, an invitational event open to the best Olympic windsurfers only.
“I won the Trade Wind Trophy in 1999, again in perfect conditions and on the very last race.
“Winning or losing championships that came down to the wire seemed to be a bit of a speciality for me.
“The Asian Championships in China in 1996 was also another special event. I won that event beating the current world champion (Joao Rodrigues from Portugal) in the last leg of the last race to win the championship on a tie break.
“The world championship I won in South Africa in 1992 also brings back special memories. I remember winning the marathon which was held in 60knots of wind in Port Elizabeth.
“It was simply insane. I still get messages from people (competitors and spectators at that event) who until this day still are in awe of that particular race.
“Sixty knots of wind is almost cyclonic conditions and to have to do a race in those conditions where you are not even thinking of survival but rather how to push the limits and sail well tactically and go as fast as possible is unbelievable!
“Even today looking back, I sometimes struggle to think how I did it. Everyone who took to the water or the start of that race were legends in my book!”
In a sport that is played out on surface water, one wonders if any Fijian could ever emulate Philp’s achievements but for young Fijians, the former champn has some advice.
“For young Fijians doing other sports, what is important and I am putting it rather simply is try to keep focused on your dream, train hard and smart, and surround yourself with winners.
“Being able to develop a winning culture particularly in a country like Fiji, which is not used to sporting success, is even more difficult.
“Generally speaking it is hard for most aspiring youngsters in Fiji to succeed in any sport because money and infrastructure are always going to be an issue. Fiji is not a rich country, in fact far from it and far from anywhere so difficult and expensive for young athletes to get exposure.
“There is also no proper professional structure in all sports across the board. Rugby 7s being the exception because so many people play it.
“There is easy access (rugby) which other sports in Fiji don’t have the luxury but in time even that advantage may be lost as other countries who have a more professional and scientific approach to elite level sport start to take the code more seriously.
“Despite this, being ambitious is very critical, and by that I mean not just thinking about succeeding at a national or regional level but at an international level.
“Aim to be the best in the world. I would also go so far as saying that you would have to develop a genuine dislike for losing. For some people this comes naturally like for me. The fear of losing is what has always pushed me!”
Philp continues his work with surfing and business in France.
