14 Questions to … Ricardo Fabini

From Uruguay, Ricky Fabini, 1989 Snipe World Champion

– 1) Your first time on a sailing boat?

My first time on a sailing boat was in an old Lightning my father have in 1974. Incredible boat, good times, lot of sailing.

I used to steer the boat looking backwards, because I was always towing a little toy boat. My father always told me that I was better steering the boat looking backwards.

– 2) Your first time on a Snipe?

1983 Pan am qualification in Uruguay , I was invited to sail in an old Brazilian Chubasco with Shore sails. Christian Rippe was my crew. It was his boat. We finished second and defined the qualification in the last race with Fernando Thode. Then he took the bronze in Caracas 1983.

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

1993 Snipe Worlds last race, rounding the top mark of the second windward with a huge lead over the second boat, wind blowing to the limit, my crew Luis Chiapparro told me not to jibe at the jibe mark, but I jibed, we capsized and we rounded the downwind mark in fourth place, at the finish we lost by less than a boat length with Dodao (George Nehm). After the race Dodao told me that we were very fast and if the race was 10 meters longer we would won the race.

1992 South Americans in Punta del Este, Longarella Brothers told me to pass although I was on port tack, but when I was passing they hit me in the rudder and broke my rudder gudgeon, I tied it with a rope and we finished in front of them after making 720.

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

Going to the wrong side when I know it’s the wrong side.

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

1993 South American Championship at Club Veleros Barlovento, our level was incredible. We won all the races by a huge lead. We rounded all the marks in first place in all races. Incredible fast.

Also I remember Japan, 1989 Worlds, against Torben Grael, beating him in the last race.

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

World Championship in Norway 1991, the place and the people were incredible, but we sailed one of the worst championships in my life.

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

To sail the America’s Cup, or to sail a Master Worlds with my son or daughter.

– 8) Sailing goals for 2014, and beyond?

Try to teach my kids how to sail and to give back some knowledge to future sailors.

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

In sailing my father was the most important person, in Snipe Pedro Garra’s father (Pedrin) was a very important guide for me.

– 10) Why the Snipe?

The Snipe was the only alternative we had after Optimist in Uruguay, and also because I love the Snipe boat. I was tired of bailing water out of the Optimist and self bailer cockpit was an incredible change, also a nice bow to go through the waves.

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

Perfect sailing venue: the Yacht club Uruguayo during summer time. My perfect sailing condition choppy waves with 20 knots and plus 20 Celsius degrees.

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

I love all sports, but mountain bike, football and running are the ones I love more and sailing of course …

– 13) Are you superstitious?

Yes I am. In my Snipe I still have a broken pin and I always start a championship with a new cap. It’s strange, but when I was young I wouldn’t have used a cap when racing, but now it is a condition.

– 14) Your perfect holiday?

My perfect holidays are with my family in the Caribbean sea, always near the sea and if it’s possible in a sailing boat!