15 years since his last participation in the round-the-world race, and three America’s Cup victories later, Vila will occupy a key position as team navigator
Barcelona-born sailor Joan Vila, considered one of the best navigators in the world, returns to offshore sailing with MAPFRE. The Spanish team, skippered by Olympic Champion Xabi Fernández, announced today that Vila will join the crew as navigator; responsible for ensuring the consistent best positioning of the boat to take maximum advantage of wind and current, getting it from point to point as fast as possible.
Recently returned from the 35th America’s Cup held in Bermuda, the civil engineer will add yet another notch to his already extensive sailing career, which includes three victories in one of the most important sailing competitions in the world, as well as Olympic Games and Volvo Ocean Race participations.
“This is the best crewed race that any offshore sailor can take part in, so you always keep an eye on it,” Vila admitted from the team base in Sanxenxo (Galicia, Spain).
“Unfortunately in the last few years I haven’t had the chance to take part, as it coincided with other projects, but I always wanted to. The opportunity has appeared for me again now, and with a team like MAPFRE,” he added.
Vila’s skills as navigator are unquestionable, and he admits that he’d had the chance to be on the start line wearing a different shirt. He hasn’t competed with a Spanish team since 2003 when he took part in the Admiral’s Cup.
So the question is, why MAPFRE?
“I had conversations with another team as well as this one, but when I spoke to Xabi and saw the people involved in the team, I saw the chance to be part of an excellent team, and didn’t doubt in choosing MAPFRE.”
Joan Vila brings an undeniable amount of experience from other competitions, but a lot has changed in the Volvo Ocean Race since he last took part in 2001-02 with German team Illbruck. Not only as far as the meteorology technology is concerned, but the boat itself, the Volvo Ocean 65.
Following his first sail in Sanxenxo Vila commented, “what I noticed most was how well geared everything is, and how well it all works.”
Following last week’s announcement of another America’s Cup champion, New-Zealander Blair Tuke, on the team, CEO Pedro Campos expressed his delight,
“In just a few days, we have had the pleasure of announcing another great source of pride for MAPFRE with the incorporation of Joan Vila, considered one of the best navigators in the world, and who, in my opinion, is the best. I have known Joan for many years, and it has always been my dream to have him on our team. Finally that dream has come true. I want to thank him for his trust in us, for joining MAPFRE, and I am sure he will help us achieve a great deal of success.”
Over the next few weeks, as the team continues their preparation in Galicia, further incorporations will be announced.
