A round-the-world sailing team is not just composed of the sailors. Every mile raced has a huge amount of effort, dedication and commitment behind it, a responsibility undertaken by a group of professionals that make up the shore crew. It is a contingent that must be well structured, and include a very versatile and multi-skilled group of individuals. We would like to introduce MAPFRE’s boat captain, boatbuilder and composite expert for the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18.
It is not difficult to find either of them smiling. Both previous members of the MAPFRE team in the last edition of the race, whether sanding, repairing sails, or working with carbon, they could always be found smiling.
This time round, Santi Pablos takes a leap as MAPFRE’s captain on the ground. Gonzalo Fernández de Velasco, better known as “Nervio,” will once again be the team’s boatbuilding and composites expert, “El Fibras” as he says.
Santi Pablos from Donostia, and “Nervio”, from Santander, have enormous experience in the world of sailing. “Nervio”, for example, has been part of different shore crews for more than 22 years. At just 23 he was part of the America’s Cup construction project for “Quinto Centenario”.
Santiago Pablos’ first major project was with the America’s Cup 2007. For two and a half years, he lived and worked in Valencia for Desafío Español. Both shore team members went on to work with the IMOCA 60 MAPFRE project in the Barcelona World Race with Iker Martínez and Xabi Fernández. Santi was a collaborator, and “Nervio” a permanent member of the shore crew. After several other projects, it was the turn of MAPFRE in the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15, and both shore crew professionals will take their place once again in the new edition of the race, due to set sail from Alicante on 22nd October 2017.
As well as being responsible for all the boat’s systems, including engine and hydraulics, (as in the last race), Santi will also be in charge of the boat on shore.
“Nervio” will be responsible for composites and parts,
“In other words, everything that is related to fibre in the boat, such as the structure, and any impact to it, or boat parts,” explains the Santander-born expert, “and naturally to ensure that the surface of the boat is as close to perfect as possible, so that it sails to its very best ability.”
Santi and Nervio are headed to Lisbon on Monday 20th February,
“The boat will finish being painted and will be ready for final assembly,” explains Nervio. “Our aim is to check that everything is correct, to be able to begin preparations for the maintenance of MAPFRE.”
It will be greatly satisfying for them both to see MAPFRE on the water again, as Santi Pablos admits,
“When you see the boat sailing with all the others, you think, ‘that boat is sailing out there, and I was a part of that’. And that gives me a great sense of fulfilment.“
