 FERNANDO LAGO SAYS: “THE REAL CLUB DE REGATAS” PRESENTED A WINNING PROJECT. WE BET ON IT, AND WE DIDN’T GET IT WRONG”
Fernando Lago seems to be satisfied with the work in progress for the World Championship that will take place in Alicante at the end of July. The President of the Platu 25 Spanish fleet, takes stock of the Platu 25 increase in the last years, becoming one of the most numerous in Europe.
He also underlines how important it was for the Platu 25 class, to have had two champions as Manu Weiller in 2006 and Carlos Paz in 2009.
Concerning the choice of the “Real Club de Regatas” of Alicante, Fernando Lago explains that it was one of the most sure bets because the Club presented a very attractive application, with a balanced budget and with an incomparable services offer.
Less than two months before the World Championship in Alicante, how healthy is the World Championship 2010?
In the last six months we redoubled our efforts in communication and in researching resources in order to make the World Championship a success. With a budget as good as closed and with a satisfactory number of registered crews, I think that our diagnosis is excellent.
As President of the Platu 25 Spanish class, what do you thing about a second World Championship in Spain?
The experience in Vigo in 2006 was very intensive because the Spanish class started from zero. In contrast, in that period, in other countries such as Italy and Germany the class was completely consolidated. The Italian was the competitor to defeat indeed. Four years later we are the main contenders of a new World Championship and we turned into the biggest fleet in Europe. We have in our fleet the 2006 and the 2009 World Champions. The feelings are different but the illusion is the same of the first day”.
In the last World Championship in Punta Ala that took place in Tuscany at the end of last September, we produced a very high quality event. Do you think Alicante can stand the challenge?
The Yacht Club in Punta Ala is well known for the quality of its organisation, its high competitive level and its logistics, being a perfect place for sailing. I think that Alicante will be equal or will surpass the organising quality. And we have also to consider the surrounding, the social life in the club and all the events around the Championship. On the other side, the city will be boiling during the Summer. So, for all these reasons the show and the media coverage will be bigger than in Italy last year.
In Italy, there were 92 Platu 25 in the water. How many crews do you hope in the Costa Blanca waters?
The beginning goal of the organisers was 100 participants. I think that we’ll stay quite near to that.
Which were the factors for which the Real Club de Regatas was decided to be the head office for the 2010 World Championship?
The Real Club de Regatas de Alicante presented a winning project, with a very balanced budget and an incomparable services offer. Once we knew that the World Championship would be in Spain, we bet on it and we didn’t get it wrong.
Why Alicante?
The main reason is the recent experience in organising high level events (MedCup, VOR, Tabarca and so son). On the other side, the marvellous work they did for the Platu 25 class, becoming the foremost ship owner of the Comunidad Valenciana. The club is in the centre of the town. That’s also very important because people can see and take part directly in the competition, making the media impact easier.
What about the sailing area?
To be honest, I don’t know very much about it because I competed there just once. But the references are good.
Spain and the team of Carlo Paz are defending the title. Will it be possible to keep the World Cup one year more?
There are three or four foreign crews who could make it difficult. But I think that the Cup will stay in Spain also in 2010.
How does the rest of the International fleet compare and which are the most dangerous contenders for the Spanish fleet?
We’ll miss a pair of competitive crews from Japan and New Zealand. Nevertheless, the main non Spanish favourites on the start line will be: Modus Vivendi (Greece) FarrBarr and Flexi (Germany), Just a Coyote and Brera Hotels (Italy), Seth (Portugal) and some other surprises that will appear around here for sure.
What are the real possibilities for the Spanish boats to keep to the highest level?
This is the easiest question: all of them...we have the POSSIBILITIES
Have you a desire, as Spanish Platu 25 Class President, for this World Championship?
My goal......... is that all the competitors and the supporters will be satisfied.
My desire…...is to win the World Championship.
To dream is for free.
Sabrina Bonaiti: Platu 25 International press: sabrinabonaiti@libero.it
English edited by Kev Scott (Thailand NCA) |