14 Questions to … Esteban Echavarria

Esteban Echavarria, young Snipe sailor from Colombia who loves tuxedos!

– 1) Your first time on a sailing boat?

I don’t even remember, when I asked my parents they told me that I was about six months old.

– 2) Your first time on a Snipe?

My first time on a Snipe was in Cartagena Colombia 2009 in a snipe clinic with coach Nestor Trenka.

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

In the Last regatta of the past National Games in 2012, I was leading the series by 2 points, but the second boat Danny Delgado had better dropout, forcing us to get finish at least in fourth place to win the event. The start was really tight and I thought I was over returning back. Danny covered us the entire race, trying to take us to the last positions. I managed to get in front of him but in seventh place. Every one thought we had lost the event but I was pretty sure there were plenty of boats with OCS, In fact the first 3 boats were over and we ended up winning the gold medal.

 

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

Foul play, dishonesty

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

I’ve enjoyed every regatta I’ve sailed, but I think the most pleasant was winning the Optimist National Games in 2008 by more than 20 points against all odds, these games were held in the beautiful Colombian Island of San Andres.

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

Last Cartagena Laser Sailing week where the jury was in favor of locals. I can’t believe things like this happen.

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

Sailing in the Americas Cup

– 8) Sailing goals for 2014, and beyond?

Our main goal this year is qualifying in snipe for Pan-American Games.

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

The most important people in sailing with out a doubt are, in first place, my parents because they are my sponsors and the ones that are pushing me everyday. Before any regatta my mother always tells me that the important thing is not to compete but to win; and in second place my uncle Juan Jose who gave me my first sailboat (optimist) as a gift.

In Snipe my crew Juan Esteban Restrepo, Ernesto Rodriguez with whom I had the pleasure to sail in the last Westerns and Augie Diaz who has been really nice to us and is my idol in the class.

– 10) Why the Snipe?

Because the people in the class are incredible, you really enjoy each event in and out of the water.

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

My perfect sailing venue is Punta Seca, located in the Caribbean coast islands of Colombia; I used to train every vacation there.

My perfect sailing conditions is under 10 knots, (I am too light)

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

Besides sailing I do lots of road cycling about 150-200km a week, and I also play tennis and golf once in a while.

– 13) Are you superstitious?

A little bit, every sailor has they own superstitions, but nothing special.

– 14) Your perfect holiday?

In my beach house in the Colombian islands, Sailing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, fishing … Simply enjoying time with friends and family.