14 Questions to … Henrique Brites

Henrique Brites is a young and very talented Snipe sailor from Portugal. He won the Portuguese Nationals in 2021.

1) Your first time on a sailing boat?

Realistically, when I was 12. I did one summer course in my club when I was about 10 I think, but the time I really got to sail for real was 2 years later in an Optimist built by my father.

2) Your first time on a Snipe?

I was 15 or 16, and it was a National Qualifier in Cascais.

3) The most bizarre thing that happened in a regatta? – In the optimists, I was talking to my coach on the rib on a windy day, and a younger kid crashed my boat, between races… I had big damage on the bow. It was weird because everything was ok and all of the sudden, we were in a difficult position.

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

Bad starts!

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

The Snipe Nationals that me and my crew Francisco [Maia] won last year. We rigged the boat for the first time the day before and everything was flowing so well that we ended up doing much better than we thought we would.

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

Maybe the Moth European Championship in Portugal. It went bad because I made a mistake on the only day we raced. But I don’t think I would like to forget it still, I think there is an opportunity to learn from every bad situation so I like to remember every regatta, even the bad ones.

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

Its not really a peak but something that I believe keeps me motivated in amateur sailing. To become the Portuguese sailor with the most National Titles. And see if I can get some international Top 5 during the journey…

8) Sailing goals for 2022, and beyond?

To qualify for the Snipe Worlds and also to win the Snipe, SB20 and Dragon Nationals.

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

The most important person in sailing is my father, he was the one that got me into sailing and the one that keeps me going. A big part of the results I have are because of him. In the Snipe, my crew Francisco is the most important person. Without him none of my goals would be possible, and none of the results would have been the same.

10) Why the Snipe?

Firstly, I really like to hike and the snipe really gives me that opportunity of sailing a tough boat. Secondly, the snipe has most of the rigging and tuning difficulties a small boat can have and it feels like I am learning things that will be valuable in other classes.

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

I really like Tavira most of the times. Steady 12 to 15 knots with choppy waves. You can also get this in Cascais, but it is a bit more cold!

12) Besides sailing which other sport do you practice?

I try to Surf but I am not really good at it. I also like to play Tennis from time to time.

13) Are you superstitious?

Yes. I used to have one superstition in the Laser class. Every time my rudder got damaged for some reason before an event, it would mean good luck… At least it meant, every time it happened!

– 14) Your perfect holiday?

Would probably be sailing an F50 Catamaran in Bermuda.

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