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Just arrived from San Francisco, where he has been part of the Spanish SailGP team, Joel Rodríguez is already in our country where, without time to recover from the time change, he has started a thorough training session with the Olympic team in Palma de Mallorca. Next Monday he will compete in the 51st edition of the prestigious Princess Sofia International Trophy, where 700 boats representing 58 countries are expected to participate.
What is your reading of this second season of SailGp that has just ended for the Spanish boat F50 Victoria?
It is essential that all the data that occurred in this second season be taken into account: first, the decision to change the boss, with the incorporation of Jordi Xammar (it was planned to be in the third season).
The fact of staying in fourth position during a good number of regattas and the penalty applied to us for the incident with the American boat that relegated us to seventh position. Even so, the most important thing is that in the crew we are aware of the enormous potential that we treasure and this is the conclusion we have reached.
How has the incorporation of Jordi Xammar at the controls of this Formula 50 been?
As I mentioned before, the incorporation of Jordi was scheduled for the third season of SailGP, which begins on May 14 in Bermuda, replacing Phil Robertson. This change was a team decision that despite what happened, we believe was correct, because the sensations have been very good as well as the performance of the boat, as was evident in the first regattas.
What are the challenges of the Spanish team for the next season?
Strengthen Jordi’s position and continue to trust that, as a team, we can be among the most important positions in the standings.
How do you combine sailing in a formula one and in a light sailing boat with opposite conditions such as the ILCA7?
Obviously they are two totally different concepts in terms of boat and way of sailing (in the F50 you reach 90Km/hour and the ILCA in a slow individual boat), but in the end it is all the same sport and the fundamental concepts of methodology and analysis , they can be used both in dinghy sailing and in SailGP. In my case, sailing in these two antagonistic boats favors me on a psychological level, because it helps me disconnect and start over with more enthusiasm.
Will you be part of the Spanish team in the 3 phase of SailGP?
It’s not called yet.
What do you think of the recent designation of Barcelona as the venue for the Copa América?
This is great news for Spain, for the sport of sailing and for everyone in general. The economic impact of an event of these characteristics is enormous. Hopefully a project will come up that represents us.
Do you see yourself also participating in Copa América?
They are big words. Right now I am in what I am, but I would love to be part of one of the teams. It is the dream of any high-level athlete in sailing.
Next Monday, April 4, the prestigious Princess Sofia trophy for Olympic classes begins. How do you see yourself in this event?
After the Tokyo Olympics, I had a rest period that lasted until December. In February, I sailed again in the international event in Lanzarote, where I got a top ten finish that helped me get the pulse of the ILCA7 fleet again and before traveling to San Francisco, I carried out a very intense training program in Majorca. We have Gustavo Lima as the new coach and the addition of Joan Cardona to the class is a great incentive for me. The Princesa Sofía is gaining strength again and this time she will be the best of each country. I feel very well and I always have a high goal in mind for this Princess Sofia Trophy, which would be to enter the Medal Race.
Of the 174 registered in the ILCA7 class, which country has the most powerful representatives?
The Australians are always the great rivals to beat and this time Matthew Wearn will participate, gold in the past games in Tokyo. The English are also very powerful, but if you analyze country by country, we find very good sailors, because the ILCA7 is a very competitive class with a very high level.
The RCNGC attends the Princesa Sofía Trophy with representation in practically all classes. What can you tell us about your Club mates?
The Gran Canarian yachtsman has a great regatta team that is working hard and very well. Ángel Granda has had a rapid adaptation to the IQFoil that has required a notable physical transformation, gaining many kilos, but for now he is responding with very good results. María Cantero, crew member of Patricia Suárez in 49erFX, starts from a fifth in the last world championship of this class, with which she can do very well. The 470 debuts as a mixed Olympic class and there is a lot of previous work by Patri Reino and Pablo García in this class, which can bear fruit in their new projects. Andrés Barrio in 49er also has international experience with his crew Antonio Torrado. Her sister Elena now starts at 49erFx and is shooting. Martina Reino knows the class very well and Isabel Hernández, despite her youth, puts her claw on it. They are both working at ILCA6. To Samuel Beneyto and Rafa Lora who will participate like me in ILCA7, this competition will be part of their learning, because they have just landed in the class. Together with Joaquín Blanco, who is always among the best, the four of us make a good team.
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