14 Questions to … Pedro Pires de Lima

Pedro Pires de Lima, sailmaker and Snipe sailor

– 1) Your first time on a sailing boat?

I was 10 years old, in a Optimist.

– 2) Your first time on a Snipe?

At age 13 I was too big to sail my optimist so started to crew my uncle Tito Roboredo

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

In the 1986 Maxi Multi-Hull Round Europe Race we were racing over the limits. At that time Kevlar was too expensive and we had Dacron sails. The 230 sqm main, made in two ply 400 gr cloth weighted almost 300 Kg.

Upwind in 25 + knts if we eased the main sheet it took 15 min to sheet it in again. Trying to stay with the leaders we decide to keep it in all time, and fly really high almost full time the upwind hull. During the couple of weeks of this insane sailing, in every leg stop we had to repair a crack in the painting. It was annoying to have it done every 3 or 4 days …

Finally, 50 miles south of Ibiza the paint gave up… humm, the problem was not in the painting, the central beam that was already damaged, and gave up.

After deciding to stay with the wreck, even if the life raft had many chocolates inside, we were rescued two days later by the Spanish Navy. The adventure continues with a beautiful French girl and the border Police, but this is not the place to share the details …

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

Incompetent Race Committee. Being disqualified for OCS after re-enter the starting line is the worst.

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

The fourth race of the Vaurien Junior World Championship 1980.

Having already two wins and a 2nd place, the fight with Joan Pragts was a true Match Race. We won it, and a 5th place in the next race guaranteed the world title one race before the championship ended.

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

None. I love them all even when everything goes wrong.

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

Participate in the Olympic Games.

– 8) Sailing goals for 2013, and beyond?

Participate in the Worlds in Rio and have a top 10 in the European Masters in Italy 2013. Still sailing in 2040.

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

My uncle Tito Roboredo. He taut me how to sail a Snipe and helped me to be 3rd in the Snipe European Junior Championship 1979.

My Sailing idols are Patrick Tabarly and Paul Elvstrom.

– 10) Why the Snipe?

Top class regattas, affordable, good investment, the best “sailing family” I know.

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

Santiago de La Ribera Masters 2012. My perfect Snipe sailing conditions are 3/4 knots and waves, or over 35 knots and big waves in a big catamaran!

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

Everything that induces adrenaline! Off road cars, Motorbike Enduro, Karting, Circuit Racing Cars, Powerboat racing, Windsurf, Kitesurf, White waters Kayak, Diving, Mountain Bike, Orienteering Cross country running…

I did some of those sports at the highest level, like two Dakar Rallyes in Factory Teams, others at National level, like the Kitesurf that is still my favourite, and many others only for pleasure.

– 13) Are you superstitious?

Not at all!

– 14) Your perfect holiday?

Sunny strong wind sailing with my kids, Mafalda 14, and Tomás 12, in our family 34ft X-Yachts in the Spanish Northern Rias Bajas.