14 Questions to … Enrico Michel

Enrico Michel, Snipe builder and Snipe sailor - 1) Your first time on a sailing boat? On an old wooden optimist when I was 6 - 2) Your first time on a Snipe? As crew of my father when I was 12. In the afternoon right before the race, I hurt my arm falling off the bike and I couldn't use it: my father was really angry ... - 3) The most bizarre thing that happened in a regatta? Some years ago at a National regatta valid as selection for the Europeans. Before the last race Stefano Longhi (who was helming his boat) broke his whiskerpole. He was running for the selection while I wasn't. So I gave him my whiskerpole. In the last race the wind blew at 10 knots and we (my crew and I) even without whiskerpole placed second. It was very funny! Another bizarre thing happened in a local race here in Trieste with Alessandra Papa who was my crew. During the trainings I always appreciated the agility of Alessandra and I called her for this reason Batman. The day of the race, much to my surprise, she showed up completely dressed as Batman, with mask and cape too and she did keep the dress all the race long!

14 Questions to … Enrico Michel Image

Enrico Michel, Snipe builder and Snipe sailor

– 1) Your first time on a sailing boat?

On an old wooden optimist when I was 6

– 2) Your first time on a Snipe?

As crew of my father when I was 12. In the afternoon right before the race, I hurt my arm falling off the bike and I couldn’t use it: my father was really angry …

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

Some years ago at a National regatta valid as selection for the Europeans. Before the last race Stefano Longhi (who was helming his boat) broke his whiskerpole. He was running for the selection while I wasn’t. So I gave him my whiskerpole. In the last race the wind blew at 10 knots and we (my crew and I) even without whiskerpole placed second. It was very funny!

Another bizarre thing happened in a local race here in Trieste with Alessandra Papa who was my crew. During the trainings I always appreciated the agility of Alessandra and I called her for this reason Batman. The day of the race, much to my surprise, she showed up completely dressed as Batman, with mask and cape too and she did keep the dress all the race long!

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

My mistakes

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

The 2010 Europeana in Oslo when I crewed for Manu Hens. We placed second! (much more than my most anxious sailing dreams). Another one is the National in 2012 with Stefano Longhi as crew: on the last day we were 8th and after three very good races, much to our surprise, we won!

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

None, any of them gave me something even if they ended up bad.

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

I think sailing gave me already many gratifications in relation to my sailing capabilities. I don’t think I could have done much more than I did. I’m satisfied.

– 8) Sailing goals for 2013, and beyond?

I would like to have a good placement at the Worlds in Rio, even because I think this will be my last one.

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

There are many of them: Sergio Michel – my father – who taught me sailing, his helmsman – Sergio Morin – who taught me some “tricks”, Giorgio Brezich champion of fairplay and not only of sailing, Jan Persson who taught me how a fast snipe is made, John Turazza and Stefano Longhi whom I had the pleasure to sail with, and Manu Hens, the best sailor I ever sailed with.

– 10) Why the Snipe?

Because it is a technical and difficult boat, with so many high level sailors … what can I ask more for?

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

Santiago de la Ribera or Bracciano – 14-16 knots

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

Since I started my actual job I do not have time to practice any sport seriously any more. Before that I did skiing, cross-country skiing, running and bike.

– 13) Are you superstitious?

Definitively yes! I always wear something green on a race or at least I need something green on my boat.

– 14) Your perfect holiday?

Anywhere but with my family and my friends

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