We asked our Gill Race Team members about their best moments in sailing. Here's what Andy Smith had to say.

1. What’s the best experience in your sailing career?

That’s a tough one, I’ve had so many. I think that’s why I’ve loved sailing for the last 40 years. As a young Mirror Dinghy sailor I used to live for Sunday’s. The great thing about sailing is that you never stop learning. There are so so many variables. It can take years to put pieces of the puzzle together. When that happens and you can put those pieces together it’s very satisfying. I think I’d have to say the best moment was winning Kiel Week 2016 in the 505. It was something I never imagined possible even 3 or 4 years earlier. I think I have many good years of sailing ahead of me. What keeps me sailing is the number of different aspects to the sport. Personal fitness, which is important especially when it’s windy but also to keep to a reasonable weight in order to be competitive. The engineering and boat work in making the boat as easy to adjust as possible and making sure nothing will break. The rig set/up in order that the boat can be as quick as possible, the actual sailing and the competitive instinct of playing chess on the water! Making sure to remember and hone the pieces of the jigsaw, knowing the rules  More important than the actual sailing is the people you meet along the way. I have some great friends through sailing.

2. What is your favourite Gill kit?

If you’d asked me this a couple of years ago I’d have said my favourite item would have been the Race Smock due to its effectiveness and very light weight. However, since trying the Thermoskin Top I think it’s the best single piece of kit. You almost never need a spray top, it’s very waterproof and warm and again because you can wear just one item on top, it keeps things light. It also gives versatility to wear with different wetsuits and even shorts.

Up there as well is the Thermoskin Skiff Suit. It gives great freedom of movement and again is light and warm.

Without a doubt the Pro Gloves are the best around for protection and also for longevity.