Interview with Raul de Valenzuela, Snipe European Champion

ST: When did you start sailing?

I started sailing at 9 years old in Almeria and I have sailed Snipes since 1998.

ST: Before this year’s Europeans, which were your main victories in the Snipe and other classes?

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3rd Campeonato de Mundo Junior Snipe Almeria Spain 1999

2nd Junior European Championship 2000 Murcia Spain

1st Campeonato de España de Snipe Absoluto

1st Campeonato de España Junior

1st Junior World Championship in the United States 2001

2nd Copa de España Snipe 2002

From 2003 until 2006 I sailed 470 to try to qualify for the Olympic Games

In 2006 3rd at the Campeonato España

6th European Championship in Las Palmas de Gran Canarias

5th European Championship in Norway 2010

11th World Championship 2011

2nd Campeonato de España Gijón 2011

2nd Copa de España Valencia 2012

1st Europeo Italia Cervia 2012

ST: How long have you sailed with Alejandre De Ona Antolin?

It is two years that I am sailing with Alejandre. Three years ago I stopped sailing with Jose Latorre, the crew that won the Junior World Championship with me.

ST: How did you prepare for the Europeans?

Training 3-4 days a week, three hours a day, and 5 days a week of physical training at the Gym and in the swimming pool.

ST: Did you train (or test sails) specifically for the light wind conditions expected in Cervia?

For a year and a half we developed new models of sails, not just for Cervia but for all wind strengths. Thanks to our designer Fran Ramirez of UK we used some very competitive sails.

ST: Did you sail only Snipe or also others boats?

In the past I sailed Optimist, Cadet, Laser radial and 470.

ST: Do you think that sailing other type of boats helps you?

Yes, it helped me a lot sailing other boats. You learn a lot. Where I learnt a lot was in 470, a very complicated, but fun boat.

ST: Do you have a coach and did you have a coach or a local expert in Cervia?

No, I had a friend from Spain who helped me psychologically in some difficult times.

ST: Can you tell us which materials did you use in Cervia?

Persson, Sidewinder, UK sails

ST: Can you describe your victory at the Europeans and particularly the last day of racing?

For me winning the European Championship in Cervia has been a dream come true. For three years we were training very well with no results, so having changed the boat this year has given a push we needed to fight for the win in all the races. Being able to develop our own sails helped us a lot.

I want to highlight the support I received from my wife during this season, after a very bad year she was by my side supporting me.

Antolin my crew who is just 19 years old taught me a lot, he’s completely in love with the sport, with a desire and a force that is worth admiring. Antolin thank you very much.

I remember the last race of the European Championship where we were facing Francisco Sanchez. Since 1999 at the Junior World Championship we have fought in many championships, so for me it was a very important moral challenge.

At the start we decided to sail our race and it was exciting … we rounded the first mark in 16th and Paco in 24th place. I had to stay in the top 4 to win and also put four boats between me and Paco.

After a great comeback we were able to finish 2nd and Paco 10th so we were declared CAMPEONES DE EUROPA!!!Anindescribable feeling. A dream came true.

ST: Which was the most important factor for the victory of the Europeans?

It was very important to have all kinds of wind intensity. We are very fast in all wind conditions. Also it was very important to think that we could not make more mistakes after the first two races of the first day.

ST: Your programs for the future?

Our goal for the next year is the Snipe Worlds in Brazil, for that we have scheduled a year of training and racing so we could compete at the Worlds with the best preparation.

ST: Thank you Raul!

Thank you very much for the interview. It has been a pleasure to answer all your questions. Un abrazo.