14 Questions to … Luis Borba

Luis Borba from Sao Paulo, Brazil

– 1) Your first time on a sailing boat? 

My Dad surprised me with a used Optimist a few days before the 1st Optimist Sailing Course/Camp at my yacht club in December 1973. Immediate lifelong passion!

– 2) Your first time on a Snipe?

My buddy Ib Andersen and I were top Penguin sailors and were invited to race the Snipe Junior State Championship in 1979. We won the regatta and were hooked!

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

I nearly died in the Guaiba River in Porto Alegre while practicing for the 1976 Penguin Nationals. A typical Minuano storm caught us, we capsized surfing down a huge wave heading back, and I let go of the boat to gather gear. That was really stupid because I couldn’t find the boat again and swam hopelessly in the storm for over an hour before being rescued by locals who came back looking for us.

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

From others, not playing by the rules. From myself, making the same mistakes too often.

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

Racing the Collegiate Sailing Nationals at ODU representing Conn College my Senior year in 1985 was amazing. But the regatta that gave me the most pleasure and “fame” was the recent Snipe Worlds in Ilhabela where I worked as MC, translator and video reporter. It put me on the Snipe Map without sailing…haha!

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

My 1st Snipe Nationals in Maceió in 1980. We were having a great regatta, leading the Juniors, and broke our mast planing on a wild reach on the 5th race! We worked thru the night to fix the mast step and fit a borrowed mast, but it didn’t work and we did terribly on the last race; consequently lost the title and failed to qualify for the Junior Worlds that year. Still hurts…

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

Looking forward, finishing on the podium of a Snipe Masters Worlds.

– 8) Sailing goals for 2020, and beyond?

Sail as many Snipe regattas as I can, but the main goal is making it to the Masters Worlds in St. Petersburg next May.

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

I’ve had and have many idols. Sticking with Brazilians, Joerg Bruder, Torben and Lars Grael, Robert Scheidt, Bruno Prada and Xandi Paradeda. And they all sailed Snipes!

– 10) Why the Snipe?

It’s simply the best class! Extremely competitive, technical, affordable, stable, always lots of boats on the water and tight racing. Moreover, Snipe sailors are more open and helpful than in other classes. And of course, I’m all about Serious Sailing, Serious Fun!

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

I think the best place I’ve sailed was in Maceió – beautiful ocean with warm water, big waves and constant breeze. But I also love my Guarapiranga lake in 12 to 15 knots.

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

I used to play lots of squash and tennis. Nowadays just a little tennis with my kids.

– 13) Are you superstitious?

Who isn’t…haha?

– 14) Your perfect holiday?

Going to places where I can visit friends and go out for a short cruise or regatta on the same trip.