![]() |
The Official
|
| www.sailing.org |
Manchon.jpg)
The 1970s proved to be a golden age for Spanish youth sailing with the country medalling at every ISAF Youth Worlds from 1972-1979. This run included six gold medals won by the likes of Luis DORESTE (ESP), who went on to win Olympic gold. A leaner spell followed in the 1980s and 1990s with just two gold medals. In the new millennium Spain's success at the ISAF Youth Worlds has already been reflected on the senior circuit. Alberto PADRON and Antonio DEL CASTILLO scored a gold medal in the 420 boys in the 2000 Championship in Sydney. PADRON has already gone on to have success on the sailing tour and this year has finished in the top three of five out of the six ISAF Graded events he has entered with crew Javier DE LA PLAZA.
Most recently, Blanca MANCHON took silver in 2002 and bronze in 2003 in the Mistral girls event. She then went on to represent her country as the youngest sailor at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. This year she made her biggest splash yet, taking five bullets on her way to a comprehensive win in the ISAF Grade W Mistral World Championship in Mondello, Italy. In 2005 MANCHON is back at the ISAF Youth Worlds looking to add the Youth title to the 2005 World crown.
The Spanish Youth World team for 2005:
Like MANCHON, Lucia REYES also has performed successfully on the senior circuit and is currently at number 20 in the Laser Radial ISAF World Sailing Rankings. Tara PACHECO and Juan Manuel MORENO also both have previous ISAF Youth Worlds experience having competed last year in Gdynia, Poland. Leading the Spanish team this year will be Manuel PAZOS DIAZ and the coach is Francisco MANCHÓN TEJEDOR.