14 Questions to … Victor Perez Campos

Victor Perez Campos, eclectic sailor from Madrid, who lives in Rotterdam, sails with the Belgian fleet, sometimes steers the boat, sometimes crews for Manu Hens, always with excellent results. Last year he won, crewing for Manu, the Criterium di Primavera in Sanremo and the Trofeo Armada Espanola in Santiago de la Ribera, and finished 5th, as skipper, at the Europeans in Kamien Pomorski.

– 1) Your first time on a sailing boat?

With my father in a Vaurien, in a village in Galicia (North West Spain) where we used to live when I was a child. I was 4 years old.

– 2) Your first time on a Snipe?

Also with my father, in a lake in Madrid. I was 9 years old.

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

In the Spanish nationals in 2013 in Melilla, we crashed in the last upwind with a boat that came downwind and didn’t see us. We had some damage in the boat so we decided to make a “1 tack upwind”. When we tacked we realized we were clearly 1st, we were around 20th before the crash!

…

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

Race committees that don’t follow the rules, just their criteria.

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

Spanish National Cup crewing with my friend Miguel Guerra in Lanzarote, where we were 4th. We didn’t expect to be so fast and make such a good result! It was great fun in and out of the water.

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

No one because I always take some positive conclusions. But if I have to choose one that was probably the last two races in the europeans in Poland, with Cristian Sanchez. We had chances to win and anything worked. It was really disappointing.

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

To sail with my girlfriend without arguing!

– 8) Sailing goals for 2015, and beyond?

South American Championship, Spanish main regattas and the Worlds. I don’t like to expect results before racing but it would be nice to have the Brazilians not too far away!

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

This is a good question, there are really a lot of people! I will try to make it short:

First of all my father, he taught me 90% of what I know about sailing and he supported me unconditionally.

My cousin Luis, we began together when things were not that easy and we worked really hard. It’s a pity he doesn’t sail anymore.

Carlos Elosegui, Rafa Benitez and Alvaro Munaiz were also really important in my first years. We made so many kilometers together and specially Carlos helped us a lot when we were juniors. We had great fun, shared much more than sailing and now I can say they are some of my best friends.

Alberto Prado was my toughest rival, despite from a great friend. He turned me much more competitive. All the fleet from Madrid, my hometown, are a great family. And I have the same feeling with the Belgium fleet, that I joined one year ago. I have been really lucky to live in cities with such nice fleets.

Gonzalo Morales and Cristian Sanchez were my last crews. They taught me that crewing is much more than hiking and maneuvers.

Pedro Vazquez and the people from the Madrid Federation helped us a lot, specially the last years. I wouldn’t have sailed so much without his support. It is great to have him always encouraging.

Manu Hens, my actual skipper. I simply make with him the best team I have ever made. He is extremely competitive sailing very relaxed and having so much fun on shore, the perfect snipe philosophy!

And of course my girlfriend, Joana, she followed me to a lot of regattas and spent so few holidays with me because of the Snipe. She is the best support and the toughest fan.

– 10) Why the Snipe?

I like tactical dinghies, and it is a boat that can be sailed fast with many ages and you don’t need to be extremely shape. I love the idea of being able to sail with my father, sister or some day with my children. And of course the atmosphere, that is awesome.

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

Lake of San Juan in Madrid with 15-20 knots stable from the North. Gusty and shifty but also very tactical in a beautiful place!

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

Triathlon and ski.

– 13) Are you superstitious?

Not at all.

– 14) Your perfect holiday?

Wherever close to the sea with lot of beers.