Interview with Enric Noguera, Spanish Champion

by Jose Carlos Alegria Diaz

Enric Noguera was born november 5th, 1996, in Palma de Mallorca, Spain

(Photo: Cristian Vidal and Enric Noguera)

How did you start sailing?

I started sailing at the age of 8 at Club Marítimo Molinar de Levante, just like my crew, Cristian (Vidal). I was lucky, because many of my current friends are from there and we all have a special love for this club, which unfortunately no longer exists.

At Molinar, I sailed in the Optimist class, and since there were no other classes besides Cadet, I moved to Club de Vela Puerto de Andratx, where I sailed around four years in the 420 class and four more years in the 470 class. I certainly wouldn’t have been able to sail half of what I’ve sailed without the help of the Andratx club.

For the past three years, I’ve been sailing for the Club Marítimo de Mahón, where the Snipe fleet has welcomed us and made us feel at home.

What have been your main sailing achievements to date?

Even though it’s the class I’ve sailed the least in, I’d say I’ve had my best results in Snipe. In 2015, I was fourth in the Junior World Championship with Marc Vallespir, and in 2016, I won the Junior European Championship with Marc Capo, both from Molinar. After a break from skippering Snipes, I just won the Spanish 2025 Nationals with Cristian.

In the meantime, as a crew, I had won the Spanish Nationals with Víctor Pérez in 2022, and the Europeans with Jordi Triay in 2023.

I’m quite happy also in other classes as well, with several national podium finishes in the 470 class and three top-10 finishes in the Junior World Championships. We also won a J70 King’s Cup in 2021.

What made you choose the Snipe class?

When I was a junior, our longtime coach at the Molinar  club, Miguel Deudero, had revitalized Snipe fleet 685 and organized absolutely everything himself so that with limited resources, there could be as many teams sailing as possible, and then, for the 2016 Junior European Championship, we could compete thanks to Joan Company, who trusted us to sail the first Snipe built at his J2 shipyard in Palma.

Later on, my returning to the class was purely by chance during a phone call with Víctor Pérez, who was looking for a crew and the calendar that season suited me well, and I was dying to race again. From then on, it was impossible to leave the boat… the Snipe’s racing style is quite addictive, combining double-class technique with racing tactics.

What equipmente did you use at the Spanish Nationals?

We used a 1998 Persson that we have named BLEZO, with a Teardrop mast and Pires de Lima sails, whom I am extremely grateful for their support

To whom do you dedicate this championship?

I explained on my Instagram that this victory is the sum of the help of many people, but we especially dedicate it to Miguel Deudero, our first coach at Molinar, and to Juanito Manresa, a lifelong friend of the club, without whom we wouldn’t have even begun to sail. Having people like that around us means a lot.

Do you practice any other sports besides sailing?

Yes! The truth is I never stop for a moment. I can play a lot of sports, but right now, what I’m mainly practicing is road biking, wingfoil, and kite, when the conditions allow, and padel. When I don’t have any of those available, I go running, always trying to make the most of my time.

What are you future plans in sailing and in the Snipe class?

With the Snipe, the goal is clear: Try to qualify for the World Championships, which will be held in Mahón in 2026. To do so, we’ll prepare by competing in the national championships and the European Championships in Vilamoura in 2025. From there, I have no idea, but I’m sure I’ll sail in as many major championships as possible.

Professionally, I’ve coached various classes for the past 10 years, including the 420, 470, and 49erFX. Since 2021, I am an official coach of the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation, and this season I’m coaching the Formula Kite class, where we’ll try to secure a spot to represent Spain at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.