About Mark Winter / Chicane

Cartoonist. Artist. Illustrator. Oh, and autograph hunter.

Drawing: Richie McCaw

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

The outstanding Richie McCaw, considered the greatest New Zealand rugby player of all time, will become the first player to lead the famous All Blacks in 100 matches when he captains the legendary team at the Millennium Stadium against Wales this weekend.

It’s a fitting venue for the milestone. Nearly 10 years ago to the day, a 23-year-old Richie was handed the captain’s armband for the first time at the Cardiff ground in a nail-bitting 26-25 victory over a strong Welsh side. With 137 Test appearances, he is the most capped All Black and now becomes the solo member of the 100 Captain’s Club. Richie is the most celebrated rugby player in the world, winning the IRB International Player on a record three occasions from eight nominations.

During his tenure as captain the All Blacks have won the Team of the Year seven times and are expected to add to that at this year’s Awards. The only remote thing I have in common with the great man, apart from our Kiwi ancestry is our attendance at Otago Boy’s High School in Dunedin (although not at the same time). It was not mentioned as he signed this ‘energetic’ 4B pencil sketch at the team’s hotel in London before they played England a couple of weeks ago.

Drawing: Chila (Marin Cilic)

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Seeded 14th tennis player Marin Cilic, nicknamed ‘Chila’ defeated Roger Federer in the semi finals and Kei Nishikori in the final to win the US Open this year.

Currently ranked number 9 in the world, Marin has just completed his debut at the year end ATP World Tour finals at the O2 in London where he signed my sketch.

Drawing: Stan the man (Stanislas Wawrinka)

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

World number 4 Stan Wawrinka narrowly lost a tense semi final against compatriot Roger Federer at the ATP World Tour Finals in London on Saturday evening.

Given the latter’s withdrawal from the final, due to a back injury sustained in the long match, many Swiss supporters may have wish a different result in hindsight.

Stan made his first Grand Slam breakthrough in January this year, beating Rafael Nadal in the final of the Australian Open. He also won a gold medal with Roger at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Both men now head to Lille to contest the Davis Cup Final against France this weekend.

Drawing: Kei Nishikori

Posted on November 15, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

In a breakout season, Japan’s Kei Nishikori became the first Asian-born man to reach a Grand Slam final, losing to Marin Cilic of Croatia in the US Open this year.

He has won a career high four titles and 54 matches (54-12) and will end the season no lower than number 5. Described as an “offensive baseline player” Kei is known for his speed and footwork and has developed a style of taking the ball early and gaining control of the point immediately on both serve and return.

Yesterday he advanced to the knockout semi final phase of the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 in London in his debut year. He takes on Novak Djokovic today for a place in the final, and will be happy to repeat his US Open semi final win over the world number one.

Kei signed my sketch at the O2 pier as the players left for the ATP World Tour Finals Launch gala last Friday evening.

Drawing: The Bryan Brothers

Posted on November 14, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

There is little to prove for Mike and Bob Bryan. The 36 year old identical twins from California are the most dominant ‘doubles act’ in the history of tennis, winning every significant doubles record. They showed up at the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 in London this week with the number one ranking already in the bag. In 13 visits to the elite year end event they have won three titles. They won their 100th career title at this year’s US Open, which extended their record haul of majors to 16 and enabled them to achieve the top ranking for a record 10th year. The Bryans have also won numerous Olympic medals, including the gold at the 2012 London Games.

The two are equally known for their post victory flying chest bump – a tradition they started back in their college days at Stanford in 1996. I drew this quick pencil sketch of the famous act.

The trick was working out who was who, because for the past few days they have not arrived at or left the O2 together. “Bob?…… Or is it Mike?”

I got Bob (the younger by two minutes) first. The next day a friend said, “there’s a Bryan,” …. but which one?

“Mike?” I said in hope. He looked at me and said nothing.

“Bob?”

“No, I’m Mike.” Oh, a twin tease. He happily signed.

Drawing: Amélie Mauresmo

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Men’s tennis star Andy Murray did something almost unheard in in the sport: he hired a female coach. Amélie Mauresmo, the former world number one, replaced Ivan Lendl who had led Andy to two Grand Slam titles and an Olympic Gold Medal. Despite all the female talent in tennis – the most successful women’s sport in the world – female coaches are few.

Amélie herself has won two grand slam singles titles at Wimbledon and the Australian Open, and she also won the singles silver medal at the Athens Olympics in 2004. After retiring in 2009, she started coaching, acting as a grass court adviser to the Wimbledon doubles champion Michael Llodra. She has also been on the coaching team for former world number one Victoria Azarenka and was influential in Marion Bartoli’s 2013 triumph at Wimbledon.

Amelie signed my sketch as she was leaving the O2 arena in London yesterday, after a practice session with Andy who takes on Roger Federer today at the ATP World Tour Finals.

Drawing: Andy Murray wins Wimbledon

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Described as the best counter puncher in men’s tennis today, Andy Murray returned to London’s O2 this week for the ATP World Tour Finals after an arduous six weeks and three titles to gain the necessary ranking points to make up the top eight at the end-of-season finale.

The 27 year old Scot has a current world ranking of six and is fifth all time leader in earnings. He has won 31 titles, including two slams. In 2012 he won the US Open and the following year he claimed the WImbledon Championship, defeating current world number one, Novak Djokovic on both occasions. Andy also wn the singles gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics and a silver with Laura Robson in the mixed doubles.

Assked if he was Scottish or British, Andy replied, in jest, “depends if I’m winning.”

Andy signed this sketch at the O2 pier before boarding the clipper to attend the WTF launch gala.

Drawing: Roger Federer

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Regarded by most as ‘the greatest tennis player of all time’, Swiss maestro Roger Federer entered the ATP World Tour Finals this week ranked 2nd, chasing Novak Djokovic for the year the year end top position.

After his first round win against Canadian giant Milos Raonic he was presented with the ATP World Tour Fans’ Favourite Award, which he’s won for a record 12 times straight since 2003 and the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award (voted by the players) for a record tenth time.

His achievements are to numerous to mention here, but he will get to add a missing one when he represents Switzerland against France in the Davis Cup Final after WTF extravaganza.

Roger was leaving the O2 on Friday evening with the other seven men making up the field. Security did warn us they were in a hurry to board the Thames Clipper boat to go to the WTF launch gala, but when I asked Roger, he said, “walk with me,” and kindly signed and dedicated my sketch.

Drawing: Novak Djokovic

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Current world number one Novak Djokovic is planning to hold on to that title at the ATP World Tour Tennis Finals at London’s O2 this week. He needs to win all his round robin matches to head off Roger Federer, who has won more tour matches than any other player this year, be it not a Grand Slam title.

Novak has won seven slams, including this year’s Wimbledon and he’s held the No 1 spot in the ATP ranks for a total of 119 weeks. His current doubles ranking is 554 – obviously not a priority for him!

He does however have an Olympic medal, winning bronze for Serbia in the singles at Beijing.

Novak is excellent with his supporters and always takes time to stop, sign, smile for snaps. He has always been very complimentary about my sketches and really liked this one, showing it to his support staff before signing it on the opening Sunday at the O2. “You have a rare talent, Sir,” he said.

Drawing: Jenny DiNoia in Wicked

Posted on November 8, 2014 by Mark Winter / Chicane

Jennifer DiNoia has been playing the role of Elphaba the misunderstood, green, Wicked Witch of the West in the hit musical Wicked for the past eight years around the world.

She made her West End and UK debut late last month, starting a 14 week run at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre.

Jenny has now performed Elphaba in four countries and six companies, including New York on Broadway, Chicago, Seoul and Sydney.

Wicked is now the tenth longest running show in the West End, with booking recently extended to 7 November 2015, its ninth year. In July this year the musical welcomed its 6 millionth patron.