14 Questions to … Luis Pessanha

Luis Pessanha, Snipe sailor and SCIRA Past-Commodore

– 1) Your first time on a sailing boat?

At 7 years old in a Sailing Yacht with my father. After it, I took an Optimist course at my Club – Club de Vela Atlantico in Oporto. The following year my father gave me an Optimist.

– 2) Your first time on a Snipe?

In 1978. I was 12 and one of the best Snipe Sailors of my Club invited me for a Club Race. In this time I was  an Optimist sailor, but since this moment my expectation all the weekends was to be invited for a Snipe Race.

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

It was a really very disappointed situation, when at the finish mark we were really fitting for the first place with another boat and by mistake we didn´t cross the finish line. This was in an National classificatory race.

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

People who ruin your race by doing unfair and not knowing the rules and people who yell all the time during a starting.

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

Too many to list. The Snipe Races are my favorite Regattas, but I would like to remember the last World Master’s Championship in Santiago de la Ribera Spain that was an amazing regatta very well organized.

I also couldn’t forget the first championship, a National Classificatory, that I won with my wife Paula.

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

The Europeans in Lorient, because the general conditions for sailing were very hard. My friend Miguel Talone was my crew and after this Championship he sold his snipe…The positive thing was that his brother Diogo ended up in 5th place in this Championship.

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

To have time for doing more Snipe Championships around the world and still contribute for the developing of the Class.

– 8) Sailing goals for 2013, and beyond?

Sailing more and better than 2012.

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

There are so many people in the 40 years I’m sailing, but for sure my family, the Roquette and Talone Family, Augusto Guimarães, Fernando Tajuelo, Pepe Perez, Giorgio Brezich, Jerelyn Biehl and Pedro Garra are on the top of the list.

– 10) Why the Snipe?

Serious Sailing..Serious Fun. Fantastic people and sailors around the World.

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

I really love sailing in the Algarve, good weather, hot water and beautiful landscapes all the year. My perfect conditions are medium wind, like 8 to 12 Knots.

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

Skiing with my wife and doing gymnastics.

– 13) Are you superstitious?

No.

– 14) Your perfect holiday?

For me perfect holidays will be always combined with sailing.