We have spoken with one of the top navigators in the world (and he is on board MAPFRE)
From the America’s Cup straight to the Volvo Ocean Race, when does Joan Vila rest?
These two are very different competitions, so – as they say – the change is as good as a rest. My role in the last America’s Cup was really about following the boat in the team RIB. It was a position on the shore crew. So here I am looking forwards to being back in the thick of the action, on board.
What can you bring to the team?
All of my experiences as a navigator: that includes everything related to the weather studies and how to optimize the routing. But, anyway oceanic navigation has changed a lot since the last time I did this race and the weather models have improved a lot, so that also means some learning and preparation for me.
How is your relationship with our skipper, Xabi?
We have not sailed together before but both of us have been part of the America’s Cup competing in two different teams in Bermuda. We were talking a lot there. I have followed him in all the ocean races he has done so far: Volvo Ocean Race, Barcelona World Race and so on. He deserves my greatest respect.
The strength of the MAPFRE crew is…
The preparation. I have just joined the team but the boat is super well prepared, even the crew. Everything being done properly now is very important if we are to put ourselves in a position to win the Volvo Ocean Race. Besides, to develop a good cohesion, a strong rapport with your team mates is also essential. It is very easy to put together a bunch of well-known sailors on board but you have to have a balanced team in the end. The different roles on board require a mix of skills that not all the famous names in the sailing world have. It is important to have a mix of skills across the different positions.
JOAN VILA IS…
MAPFRE’s navigator
He was born in Barcelona, the 12th of November 1961
This edition will be his 5th Volvo Ocean Race
