This Portuguese pair aren’t shy of collecting medals while racing the RS Venture Connect! They took the Bronze in the Para Category during the 2022 RS Venture Connect Class World Championship and Silver in the Open Two Person Technical at the Allianz Sailing World Championships 2023. Guilherme chats to us ahead of the RS Venture Connect SCS World Championships 2024 where himself and Pedro will be competing in the Para Category.
Why did you sign-up to the RS Venture Connect World Championship?
“This will be our third world championship. We really enjoy sailing on the RS Venture Connect SCS, and we want to continue taking part in international events.”
What’s your sailing background?
“I started sailing in 2012 in the Hansa 303 class, and in the RS Venture Connect class in 2022, and since then I’ve taken part in seven world championships and three European championships.”
How did you meet your teammate? What’s your favourite thing about sailing together?
“Pedro and I have known each other for about 12 years, each in our own sailing club; the Yacht Club of The Marina of Portimão. We’ve become great friends and have shared experiences at many regattas around the world. We struck up a great friendship after taking part in the 2018 World Cup in the United States. We travelled together and alone, and it was an adventure that brought us together. From that year on we became each other’s sailing wingman.”
Why do you choose to sail the RS Venture Connect?
“In 2017 the RS Venture Connect was on demonstration in the city of Mèze, France, during the Hansa class European championship. I tried out the RS boat with my coach, and since then I’ve really wanted to sail it. In 2022 Pedro and I decided to take part in the RS Venture Connect World Championships in Oman, without ever having sailed together! After winning third place, we decided to carry on because we love sailing in the RS Venture Connect. It’s a very challenging boat.”
What are you most looking forward to at the World Championships?
“Firstly, the desire to compete. We will have many teams and countries taking part, some for the first time, so we expect a very competitive championship.”
Thanks to Guilherme for the interview. Click here to find out more about the RS Venture Connect World Championship 2024.