14 Questions to … Kenji Abe

Kenji Abe, Snipe sailor from Japan, second at 2007 Worlds - 1) Your first time on a sailing boat? My first time was on a Flying Junior, 25 years ago. - 2) Your first time on a Snipe? My first time on a Snipe was 23 years ago in a club race. - 3) The most bizarre thing that happened in a regatta? We (Hiroshi Yamachika and I) fell in the water after a start at the World in 2007. Then we caught up many boats, and finally we rounded first at the top mark. Hiroshi is a great crew for me.

by Pietro Fantoni 01/17/2013

Kenji Abe, Snipe sailor from Japan, second at 2007 Worlds

– 1) Your first time on a sailing boat?

My first time was on a Flying Junior, 25 years ago.

– 2) Your first time on a Snipe?

My first time on a Snipe was 23 years ago in a club race.

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

We (Hiroshi Yamachika and I) fell in the water after a start at the World in 2007. Then we caught up many boats, and finally we rounded first at the top mark. Hiroshi is a great crew for me.

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

At the 2001 Worlds in Punta del Este, we (Hiroshi and me) were at the top of our condition. However, we didn’t do well. We were unlucky.

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

It was the WH&O in 2000 in Rosario, Argentina. For me it was the first international regatta. It changed my life in sailing.

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

2009 Worlds in San Diego. Because we (Takuo Tanaka and I) didn’t keep concentration. Many kelps … hahaha …

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

My dream … I want to make sailing a major sport in Japan. Because, sailing is still a minor sport in Japan. I would like to tell the wonderfulness of sailing.

– 8) Sailing goals for 2013, and beyond?

I want to win our domestic championship, in order to participate in the next World Championship.

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

I have many important people. One is Hiroshi Yamachika. He is a great crew for me, a young Japanese sailor. Helping him to grow, for me is a stimulus.

– 10) Why the Snipe?

Snipe is serious and fun.

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

From 5 knot to 15 knot, like in Cervia Italy or San Diego USA.

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

I do baseball and running.

– 13) Are you superstitious?

I don’t know.

– 14) Your perfect holiday?