14 Questions to … Paco Sanchez

Francisco "Paco" Sanchez, multi Spanish National and European Champion (2004-2010) - 1) Your first time on a sailing boat? When I was 6 years old I sailed in my optimist. The first year it was more important to reach the lunch than sailing... so I was a terrible optimist sailor. - 2) Your first time on a Snipe? When I was 9 years old I sailed in summer with my sisters Marina and Marisa, we thought that the snipe was a "soling class" and we could sail three persons. I remember that night I dreamed saling in snipe and winning Championships. I was a dreamer. - 3) The most bizarre thing that happened in a regatta? In the first race of the Europeans in 2008, I was very nervous and we tried to start at the pin boat, but our rudder was stuck with the anchor line of the pin end boat and when I went to the stern for removing the line, I felt into the water and lost my boat. I remember a lot of people laughing ...

14 Questions to … Paco Sanchez Image

Francisco “Paco” Sanchez, multi Spanish National and European Champion (2004-2010)

– 1) Your first time on a sailing boat?

When I was 6 years old I sailed in my optimist. The first year it was more important to reach the lunch than sailing… so I was a terrible optimist sailor.

– 2) Your first time on a Snipe?

When I was 9 years old I sailed in summer with my sisters Marina and Marisa, we thought that the snipe was a “soling class” and we could sail three persons. I remember that night I dreamed saling in snipe and winning Championships. I was a dreamer.

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

In the first race of the Europeans in 2008, I was very nervous and we tried to start at the pin boat, but our rudder was stuck with the anchor line of the pin end boat and when I went to the stern for removing the line, I felt into the water and lost my boat. I remember a lot of people laughing …

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At the Laser Radial Worlds in 1999 it was very bizarre. I was first on the last day, and with 20 minutes to the limit time, the Race Committee made a postponment, so we thought that I was the world champion. All the team celebrated me pushing me into the water … but the postponment was for all the fleets except for the gold fleet! At the end two general recalls and no more races started! They were the 20 minutes more stressfull in my sporting life!

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

Waiting to sail. I love racing but waiting and not sailing because we don´t have wind or for other causes makes me nervous!

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

Probably my first Spanish Nationals with my sister Marina. Also the other Europeans and the Worlds when we were third.

But I felt most pleasure one year ago in a race with my wife (It was her first race) and we won, with Tinoco (world champion), the best Spanish sailors … and more that 60 boats. The race was with 4-5 Knots. When we finished she said me “this win was not so hard, right?” ahahah!

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

None. All races even more miserable help us to learn. Do not forget any, even if many of them could sail calmer.

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

The same as when I was a child, to win a Snipe Worlds. Also to continue enjoying sailing and snipe class for many years

– 8) Sailing goals for 2014, and beyond?

Try to win the Iberian cup, this year is the first time we opted to win it, after winning five Spanish Championship. Also the next year we want to sail a good World Championship!

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

The first is my sister Marina, the best crew in the world. We’ve been sailing together for 19 years and had not won anything without her. My family, my father and mother

My other crews Matias Ros, and Javier Jimenez, and the Snipe family, Pepe and Paco Perez, Carlos Llamas … many! And also Persson, Augie, Xandi, Tinoco …

– 10) Why the Snipe?

Allows sailing at a high level without requiring daily professional training. The atmosphere is very good and it is an inexpensive class…

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

It´s clear! The best sailing place, Mar Menor, Santiago de la Ribera, with 90 -120º direction, and 8-12 Knots in summer.

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

All sports, but now I am playing in a basketball team!

– 13) Are you superstitious?

Nooooo, never!!!

– 14) Your perfect holiday?

Stay with my wife and my family, near the sea! Nothing more is necessary to have a perfect day.

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