OWNERS’ CLUB
Illustration – David HopkinsS
o I’ve just turned 70. You’ ll be pleased to
know I celebrated in true Eddie Jordan
style, with a huge party up a mountain
in Courchevel. There was lots of music, some
outrageous behaviour and even a parade of
guests who did a striptease down to their
budgie smugglers, which had my face printed
on them! I’m still having nightmares about that
one. I’m lucky to have led a diverse life, so there
were people from all walks there:
musicians, actors, F1 supremos...
A few hundred of my favourite
people packed into the same place
at the same time.
At one point, Mike Rutherford
from Genesis was jamming on
stage with former F1 champ
Damon Hill, with me on the
drums. My good buddy Richard
Hadida, the new owner of Oyster
Yachts, was there with his family.
But the best thing was having all
my kids and grandkids with me,
even if my son Zak penned a very
unflattering poem for the event
in which he calls me an “eejit”!
Anyway, I’ve already booked the
place for my 80th.The birthday has got me thinking
a bit about my ultimate cruising
bucket list. Despite all my sea
miles, there’s still plenty of places
I want to see. I’ve banged on about
pining for the f jords before, but
I’ve given it a bit more thought
recently. Rather than heading up
to Norway on our own boat, I’ve
thought about getting on one of
those very small, exclusive cruise
ships. I’m not interested in someAfter a birthday bash to remember, Eddie Jordan draws up his ultimate bucket list
of sailing destinations. And Jack Nicholson and Elvis are among his crew...Lippy from the Lifey
massive floating block of flats with thousands
of guests on board and all-you-can-eat
bufets. But a smaller ship where everything is
arranged for you definitely appeals. The Irish
businessman Michael Smurfit is a friend of
mine. He owns the 49 metre Codecasa Lady
Ann Magee, and he often goes of for a week on
a cruise ship somewhere and he says it’s a very
low-hassle way to spend your time.I’d also like to go back to Fiji and go
through the Suez Canal. Asia fascinates me.
Interestingly, the Yacht Club de Monaco is
organising a trip to Angkor Wat in October,
which apparently you can get to by boat.
I think about returning to the Galápagos
Islands as well. I think it’s really important
to keep a list of all the places you want to visit.
It’s too easy to get sucked into the milk run, and
end up parked outside Saint-Tropez
all summer. You really need a
five-year cruising plan or else you’ ll
never end up going anywhere. And
if you’re in the Med, think about
moving the boat to diferent home
ports. This year, we’re moving Lush
to Sicily for the summer, and I’m
looking forward to exploring there.As for a crew? I’d love to cruise
with Jack Nicholson. In terms
of a laugh, I don’t think you’d get
much better than him. I’d dig up
Elvis, obviously. You’d have to have
him on board. He really kicked
of when I was a kid and really
inspired a lot of the music that I
love. Mandela was such a legend
for me – what he stood for and
the quality of the man. I’d invite
Oscar Wilde along as well. Just so
we could all enjoy his greatness
and brilliance. He could sit back
and document it all. I’d do my best
to control this motley crew while
someone else captained the ship.
MaybeHumphreyBogart;Iheard
hewasagoodhelmsman.BEddie Jordan’s fee for this column has
been donated to charity103