Alexandre Tinoco (aka Amiguinho), Snipe World Champion.

1) Your first time on a sailing boat?

In the Optimist sailing school of Iate Clube do Rio de Janeiro, influenced by my grandmother Vera, when I was 13 years old. The classes were on Saturday mornings, I liked it so much that during the week I could only think about sailing.

2) Your first time on a Snipe?

In 1999, as Ricardo Lobato's (Blu) crew. On the first jibe, the boat capsized near Botafogo beach, with a strong wind coming from the southwest. That dip was the start of my passion for Snipe. Right after, we competed together the South-Brazilian Championship in the island of Florianópolis and we went by car taking two Snipes. That inspired me to do something similar in 2005, when I crossed all South America with another friend, from Rio de Janeiro to Algarobo in Chile, passing by the Andes Mountains, also taking a Snipe.

3) The most bizarre thing that happened in a regatta?

When I was sailing as Mario Simoes' (Mariozinho) crew, in Rio de Janeiro International Sailing Week, in the last downwind leg, we were leading the fleet but ended up capsizing in a risky jibe. I couldn't find Mariozinho anywhere and he could not find me. As the boat was completely up side down, when I was diving looking for him in the water, he was looking for me out of water. When I went up to look for him, he was under the boat, looking for me, each in the opposite side of the boat. After some time, we found each other under the boat, under the water, and then we turned the boat back and continued the regatta.

Arco, August 30 – September 2, 2012. Enrico Michel & Stefano Longhi are the 2012 Italian Champions.

Alexandre Tinoco & Daniel Seixas won the Open Italian Nationals.

1. BRA 30703 Alexandre Tinoco & Daniel Seixas, 3-10-2-2-(20)-1-1, tot. 19

2. USA 30288 Augie Diaz & Elisabetta Macchini, 5-2-1-(14)-6-4-4, tot. 22

3. ITA 30774 Enrico Michel & Stefano Longhi, 4-7-(22)-9-1-3-2, tot.26

Videos, full results and italian ranking list.

Regatta report:

Lago di Garda

Lake Garda is famous worldwide for its wind, called “Ora”, that, as reliably as a stopwatch on days of high pressure, begins to blow from the south at lunch time.

To the north, the lake narrows and becomes almost a funnel, closed to the east and west by steep mountains. Here the funneled Ora blows strong and steady, often reaching 20 knots. For this reason, sailing in Riva del Garda, Arco or Torbole is an experience that every sailor should try.

Early in the morning, the wind blows from the north and is called “Peler”. It is stronger a little farther south, towards Malcesine.

The reputation of a windy race course has perhaps kept away many competitors who generally prefer light to medium winds. I think the average Snipe sailor will not rejoice at sailing for four days with strong winds. For the Italian Nationals there were no more than 40 boats.

Talamone (Piada Trophy)

Onisalj (Kvarner Cup)

1.Alexandre Tinoco & Gabriel Borges

2.Pietro Fantoni & Marinella Gorgatto/Daniel Bradicic

3.Fabio Rochelli & Daniela Semec

... full results ...

Talamone, July 7, 2012. Other three races completed today with medium light wind.

Alexandre Tinoco & Gabriel Borges (1-1-1-1-1-1) won the event with a day in advance.

... video, full results and photos ...

Talamone, July 4, 2012.

Talamone, July 6, 2012. Three races completed today with medium wind. Alexandre Tinoco & Gabriel Borges (BRA) lead the regatta (1-1-1) on Augie Diaz & Kathleen Tocke (USA) (2-2-2).

... full results and videos ...

Talamone, July 4th, 2012.

Dante Bianchi presents the Snipe Class!

A very nice video!

Manta, Ecuador, April 7th, 2012.

Alexandre Tinoco and Gabriel Borges, winner of the 2012 South American Championship.

Manta, Ecuador, April 7th, 2012.

Final results:

1. Alexandre Tinoco & Gabriel Borges (BRA)

2. Mario Tinoco & Matheus Goncalves (BRA)

3. Rafael Gagliotti & Henruque Gomes (BRA)

Photo: Alexandre Tinoco and Gabriel Borges in Manta (photo Wander Roberto)

... full results below ...