14 Questions to … Jose Luis Maldonado

Jose Luis Maldonado from Valencia, Spain, a real “Snipe globe trotter”, sailed a lot in 2018 in Spain, Italy, Portugal and Finland and promises to to sail even more in 2019. Also he is working hard for organizing a memorable 2019 Master Europeans at his club, the Real Club Nautico de Valencia.

– 1) Your first time on a sailing boat?

My first time in a sailboat was in the cruising boat of my parents, an “Arpege”, my mother and my father crewmember, I was 4 years old. Then I started in optimist since I was 6 years old.

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– 2) Your first time on a Snipe?

My first time on Snipe was from 17 to 20 years old, … alternating Snipe and 470, I had to stop navigating my illness of “addiction to alcohol and drugs”, which had me in rehabilitation for 10 years, then started as cruising boat owner ORC until 2016 with a great palmares.

It can be said that I started with the Snipe in December 2016 at the Armada regatta in Santiago de la Ribera exactly 2 years ago.

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

In snipe class, there are anecdotes of each race. I have received a penalty for rowing in Talamone, on the same line of arrival entering 3 position without anyone near …

I have also seen how someone won a race in Motril without taking the door before the arrival ….

Dolphins and swordfish … but the one that takes the “prize” is the exit of the beach the last day of the European of Pory ..

A lot of wind, big waves, very difficult logistic conditions (for me) and then the start given by the committee with only 8 boats without waiting  for the rest of the participants to arrive.

Eerything is anecdote to learn .. it’s in a positive sense

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

Wait a long time on the water for the committee to prepare and decide.

The lack of “sincerity” when protests are held.

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

Thanks God and the Snipe Class, I have good memories of all the snipe races, I feel loved in all the places I have visited.

If I have to decide a special regatta for me, The European Master in Molveno 2017 … beautiful and wonderful.

The Olympic week of the Canary Islands in 2018 … Impressive … I will never forget it, by organization, treatment received and results

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

In snipe, none. In each of them I have learned many things, and all that I have left to learn.

I really do not have any negative memories that make me not go back to the places where I surfed in snipe. Only small anecdotes that at the moment feel very strong, but then they are nothing.

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

My dream is to enjoy every race with the Snipe family, to continue learning and trying to be among the best, I would like to be sailing in snipe with 100 years !!!

In terms of results, try to be in the top 10 in the usual way, that’s my dream.

– 8) Sailing goals for 2019, and beyond?

Make top 10 at the European Masters in Valencia, and make a good campaign in the Italian circuit and Southern Europe, top 10 also

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

This question is especially difficult, I only spent 2 years in Snipe and I learn from all of you in each conversation and each race ……

But, they have surprised me a lot, Gustavo del Castillo and Yeye, Damian Borras and Jordy Triay, Alexandre Tinoco and Arturo Barranco

with them I have shared many moments and they have taught me a lot.

Although the most important for me is my crew Miguel Cebolla, who supports me every day ….

In the world of sailing my “Heroes” are Axel Rodger, Santiago Lange, Alex Pella, Javier Serrano.

– 10) Why the Snipe?

Snipe for me, it means a big family, you really feel loved all over the world, every time you go to a regatta they are very happy to see you and fill you with attention … I really feel at home.

As a boat, it is the most technical boat I know, you need a lot of physical preparation, technical, and above all psychological.

It is very very sensitive and the price is for me affordable, so there are no major differences in materials, and that allows you to improve a lot just by having an attitude.

There is also a fleet in almost all the world, and you can take advantage of it to meet people and places that can not be broken.

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

I still do not know exactly what is best for me, I think all the conditions are good to navigate … I insist that I am starting !!!, maybe I defend myself better with little wind although we have done good partial results in any condition .. .. my crew prefers sun and a lot of party !!:)

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

Pilates, Work and wife (special sport!!!) I haven’t more time, I preferred sail Snipe always

– 13) Are you superstitious?

No

-14) Your perfect holiday?

My perfect and dreamed vacation would be traveling through Europe with my wife and attending snipe regattas visiting different places.