14 Questions to … Alvaro Martinez Iribarne

Alvaro Martinez Iribarne, from Malaga, Spain, was third at the 2015 Snipe Open Worlds in Talamone, Italy. He won the 2011 Junior Worlds in Rungsted, Denmark.

(Photo courtesy of Matias Capizzano)

– 1) Your first time on a sailing boat?

My first time was when I was 8-9 years old in an Optimist.

– 2) Your first time on a Snipe?

When I finished my time in the Optimist, I changed directly to the Snipe class.

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

On the last day of the 2011 Juniors Worlds in Denmark, when we were rounding the last downwind mark, the Race Committe changed the course and I remember it was like a 220º. When I was on port tack, after I rounded the mark I looked at the compass and the finish line should be set in front of me! 10 minutes after, the R.C set the finish line in front of me and I finished the race first. Maybe I was the only person who looked at the board with the new compass bearing for the finish line.

…

– 4) What is the thing that most angers you in a race/regatta?

Sometimes in a race I decide what I am going to do and after I change my plan and fail, that is terrible.

– 5) Which is the race/regatta that you remember with the most pleasure?

I remember when Gabri (my crew) and I won the Junior Worlds in 2011, because it was a very very tight regatta. And of course the 2015 Open Worlds when we finished third. That was amazing, because it was our first Open Worlds.

– 6) And the race/regatta you would like to forget?

There are some races that I want forget but I don’t want remember… hahaha!

– 7) Your “dream in the peak”? (Your sailing dream?)

My dream always has been to compete in a Olympic Games.

– 8) Sailing goals for 2016, and beyond?

The goal is to compete at the next European Championship (in Spain) and then we will see if there is more …

– 9) The most important people for you in sailing and in the Snipe?

At the start my best friends Carlos Aceña and Francisco Linares, because these two guys taught me the basics in the Optimist. Then Cesar Travado arrived in my sailing life and he has been like a second father for me, teaching me very important things about sailing and life. Last I’m grateful for Gabriel Utrera, my crew, who has shared everything and has been a very good friend.

– 10) Why the Snipe?

Because my club only had Optimist and Snipe when i was 15 years old.

– 11) Your perfect sailing venue and your perfect sailing conditions?

I prefer sailing in warm weather, all wind strenghts but I prefer light winds.

– 12) Besides sailing which other sport do you practice?

I like all types of sports, I practice a lot of them.

– 13) Are you superstitious?

Not now, we will see in the future…

– 14) Your perfect holiday?

Paradise is sailing with my boat and my girlfriend.