"… just like in car racing."

Santiago Lange and Roman Hagara sailed to silver and bronze in the Tornado World Championships in Argentina. In the first part of our interview, they reflect on the World Championships and explain why sailing in the Tornado is fun even in the rain and at five degrees Celsius.

Congratulations on your second and third places at the Tornado World Championships in Argentina! Did you celebrate with South American spirit?

Santiago Lange: Yeah, we threw a huge party with Roman and Hans-Peter in a club in Buenos Aires. The spectators were already cheering us on during the race – and to me, it seemed like the entire city was on its feet!

Roman Hagara: There were 300 ships there just as onlookers who were enthusiastically cheering on every participant. That really motivated you as an athlete.

Your top places are even more valuable since you weren’t optimally prepared at the start: Roman, you started with material that is actually optimized for Quingdao, where the 2008 Olympics will take place. Santiago, you were barely able to test due to your Victory Challenge commitments. Nevertheless, you both reached the top levels. What part of the success do you generally ascribe to your boat, and what part to the abilities of the team?

Roman Hagara: I would say the relationship is 50:50. We were definitely not well enough equipped for the win: we even experimented with a new big sail, but it did not help at all in the race – we had to revert back to our used spinnaker.

Santiago Lange: It’s just like in car racing: in our sport you are completely dependent on your materials. But when the boat is finally brought up to speed, it takes an experienced team to utilize its full potential.

Sailing is not only a sport, but an attitude for life. In your opinion, what makes a “true sailor”?

Santiago Lange: The love for the sport, independent of money or prestige.

Roman Hagara: If he gives up his free time and all of his weekends for the cause – and is happy going out on every sailing trip even when it is raining and is five degrees outside.

It seems like you have the most fun in the Tornado. What especially fascinates you about this boat class?

Santiago Lange: The Tornado is fast and agile, and in the race it demands a lot of technical skill and quick decisions. During my career, I have started in many different boat classes, but since I started with the Tornado six years ago, it is my favorite series.