They will fight with those who could be the future stars of sailing, worldwide, but, in the waters of Vilamoura, they want to show that the Algarve is the one in charge. The World Championship, of the 420 class, has officially started, and there are Algarve sailors ready to do everything for a real place in the sun.
Until the next 11th of July, the competition promises to liven up Vilamoura. There are teams from 24 countries to compete in the one-class World Championship, aimed at people over 14, which is a launching pad for flights Olympics.
World champions Seb Menzis and Blake McGlashan, from New Zealand, are present, but there are also Algarve sailors in the competition. O Sul Informação went to meet some before the start of the races.
Marta Fortunato, from Clube de Vela de Lagos, and Beatriz Gago, from Clube Internacional da Marina de Vilamoura, are singled out as two of the favorites in the women's class, in which they will compete, with seven other boats, for the world title.
“We don't have a goal. We want to do our best and hope that it will be enough for a good place. We can only set a goal after completing the first or second day of regattas», anticipates 15-year-old Marta Fortunato.
The totally Algarve duo is the current two-time national champion of 420 and has been in Vilamoura since February preparing for the World Cup. The first race in which he participates is scheduled for Friday, the 6th. «Vilamoura has very specific conditions. When we did some training with the German team, we noticed that they had more difficulty than us», says Beatriz Gago.
Does this mean a slight advantage for already knowing the seas of Vilamoura? The sailors confess that they are. «We're relaxed and we want to put into practice what we've been training all year», says Beatriz Gago.
In preparing for the big competition, which is taking place for the second time in the Algarve, the young Marta and Beatriz had important support.
Paulo Baptista and Luís Niza, from Tavira, are now 32 years old, but decided to participate in a class test more dedicated to young people. They became absolute national champions, managed to qualify and are now in Vilamoura to try for the best possible result.
«We saw the announcement that the World Cup would be in Vilamoura about two years ago and we started talking about whether we wanted to participate or not. It's not our home, but it's like it was. It's right next door, but it involves a lot of sacrifices», tells Paulo Baptista.
Since 2008, the year they left sailing, after having achieved good results in the 420 class in the past, competitions have been on the sidelines. They just took a break for the 2011 European Championship in Tavira, where they managed to finish 8th.
Now, since October, they are preparing their return – and soon to a World Cup. Prospects?
“We don't know the fleet well. We did a training regatta and came in 7th last year, but we're not going to give up. We are not miles away from our opponents», says Paulo Baptista.
To be able to be present, the people of Algarve had to make an investment of around 12 thousand euros in the purchase of a boat alone. Personal sacrifices were also many. Luís Niza, a graphic designer by profession, came every weekend from Lisbon to the Algarve just to train.
Still, he confesses that the experience of being older than his opponents can be crucial. “Maturity brings advantages. We've already made fewer basic mistakes. We believe that everything will happen», he says.
For this World Cup, there will be 230 teams in Vilamoura, a total of 462 sailors from 24 nationalities, accompanied by 72 coaches. Athletes will compete in three classes: Open (men's or mixed teams), women's and junior (under 17).
In addition to the participating teams, several hundred companions are expected, including relatives and friends of the sailors.
According to the organization, this world sailing event will guarantee the region's hotels and restaurants a total of 10425 overnight stays and 41700 meals. On balance, the estimated economic impact on the region will be around 2,5 million euros.
For the first time, this World Cup also has another particularity, as highlighted by Nuno Reis, director of the Vilamoura Sailing internship centre, at the press conference for the presentation of the event. This is an Eco-Event, seal awarded by Algar.
Dozens of bags were produced in recycled fabric from canvas, canvas, billboards and muppis, which function as eco-points (garbage separation) and which will be placed on the coaches' boats. The aim is for sailors to deposit not only the garbage they produce in these bags, but also the garbage they collect from the sea.
The amount of waste collected throughout the championship will be weighed and will result in an amount that will be delivered to the Child Support Center Institution in Quarteira.
The usual plastic bottles will also be replaced by aluminum bottles, which can be refilled at two filling points, equipped with water filters.
All this dynamic of another great event is only possible due to an «enormous effort by the Vilamoura Marina», according to Nuno Reis.
But the truth is that the importance of hosting this World Cup in the Algarve is «great», in the opinion of José Massapina, international vice-president of the International Association of Class 420.
“It's important both to bring people to know the country and to empower our athletes. There are high expectations regarding the Algarve. We have three crews with strong chances of reaching the podium in their different categories», said the also former president of Clube Náutico de Tavira.
Manuel Fortunato and Frederico Baptista from the Algarve are the other pair of sailors from the region to participate in the competition.
“We are expecting a very well disputed World Cup that will show sailing people how this is a privileged place, but which will also project the Algarve beyond its borders”, concluded José Massapina.
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