OzOne wrote

I remember forming an opinion of one of the great sailors of the
world
a long time back when we were in the same series as he.
Quite a few years later I ran was at a function here in Oz and he
left
the group he was chatting with, walked straight up to me, shook my
hand and immediately started talking about the first time we'd met.
I quickly realised that I had been totally wrong about him, that he
was a sincere and gentle man who was also a ferocious competitor who
would use whatever tactic he was allowed under the rules to win.

So, let me get this straight, you thought this guy was an A-hole
because he used to beat you at racing, then you met him and realized
he's a nice bloke. So, you figure the opposite for his opinion of
you?

Scotty