14 Questions to … Renato Bruni

Renato Bruni, from Cremona, Italy, more than 60 years on a Snipe.

– 1) Your first time on a sailing boat?

1953 in Bogliaco (Lake Garda) on a Lightning of a friend of mine.

– 2) Your first time on a Snipe?

1956

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

Ran aground on a shoal of jellyfish.

…

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

Who asks right of way on port tack at crossing!

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

The first regatta with my wife Adriana in Malcesine in 1959, we were last, one kilometer behind the penultimate.

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

Ledro about 1990. I was first ten meters from the finish line with a huge advantage, but got stuck in a hole. The second place team won, thanks to a personal gust (he was the famous Longo).

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

Win a Master World Championship in my category, but considering the situation and my age, it will be very hard because next time I will be 88 years old. But my attitude is to be optimistic, in fact I think to race up to 90 years! My motto is “the important thing is to always maintain the ability to fight.”

– 8) Sailing goals for 2014, and beyond?

Same as number 7.

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

My son Dario, my crew in the Master regattas.

– 10) Why the Snipe?

Because it is the nicest dinghy in the world.

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

Lake Garda

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

I practiced rowing (5 Italian titles, 3 of them senior and selected for the Olympics in Melbourne) and Judo at competitive level (Master of Judo) and Canadian Canoe (some competitions on the rivers).

– 13) Are you superstitious?

No

– 14) Your perfect holiday?

A regatta, or rather, a holiday in combination with a regatta.