14 Questions to … Gustavo del Castillo Palop

Gustavo del Castillo Palop, Snipe sailor from Gran Canaria, 2008, 2016 and 2018 European Champion and second at the 2009 and 2017 Worlds.

-1) Your first time on a sailing boat?

Since I was born, my father had a sailboat. At 5 years old I sailed for the first time in an optimist, sailing inside an inner dock, although I began to sail continuously at 7 years.

– 2) Your first time on a Snipe?

When I was 7-8 years old, I used to sail Snipe in some occasion with the skipper of my father Santiago Ceballos, but I started sailing in Snipe in 2006.

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

Well, at the European Championship of Pori this year, the conditions to leave the beach with the waves were not simple, and I was very surprised that the RC gave the start with only 6 boats at the Starting Line.

…

 

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

Perhaps when there are very bad wind conditions and the Committee does not see that in these conditions it is not possible to navigate, or when the wind shifts and there are direct courses to marks without any option.

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

All the regattas you win are special but maybe the European 2008 for being in my Club and my first important title in Snipe. And the Worlds in San Diego, because after having done a good championship all week, we lost positions in the general standings after a 23rd in the first race of the last day, but we were able to recovere in the second race with a 4th and we got the second place. We were very happy with this result.

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

The European Championship 2010 in Oslo. On the first day I was disqualified for an OCS and then the Jury penalized me in a start for the Rule 42, for something that even today, I do not understand. The level of the organization of that championship was very bad to be such an important regatta as a European Championship.

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

I would have liked to have enjoyed an Olympic Games in 470 and have options to make a podium.

– 8) Sailing goals for 2019, and beyond?

To be able to win a World Championship in Snipe and above all to be able to continue sailing until my body allows it.

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

In sailing in general all my coaches Manolo Pazos, Octavio Jiménez, Pacuco Díaz, Luis García Tuñón and Oliver Bravo de Laguna. In the Snipe especially Felipe Llinares who was the one who introduced me to the Snipe and my brother “Yeye” (Rafael) who is currently sailing with me, as well as all my colleagues in the Spanish Fleet and especially those of the Real Club Nautico de Gran Canaria

– 10) Why the Snipe?

For many reasons!!! Good competitive level, cheap boat, very good atmosphere of the sailors, very tactical Class. It is an ideal Class for young people and also for those who, after sailing at the Olympic level, want to continue competing without so much demand and investment, that’s why the level in Snipe is so good, it’s a perfect Class !!!

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

Gran Canaria, where I sail. We have fantastic weather conditions throughout the year. This December for example, we had a regatta with 30 Snipes with 28ºC of temperature and winds between 5-8 knots. Particularly I like that in the championships there are all the wind strenghts, light and strong. When there are only one kind of condition, the very light or very heavy crews have more options, while we defend well with all the winds.

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

I like all sports in general, although football is the one I like the most, although I do not play much because of my age, I am very fanatic of the Real Madrid. Currently I do a little swimming, which for the back forced by the Snipe goes very well.

– 13) Are you superstitious?

Less and less, but something still. In some championships when things have gone well I do not change the sailing clothes.

– 14) Your perfect holiday?

My perfect holidays would be in a Country of South America like Brazil, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Argentina with my family and friends and also have the opportunity to make a good Snipe regatta.