December 15, 2017
3 minutes reading time
U.S. Virgin Islands sailors inspire Di Blasi at the Sanya 2017 Youth Worlds
Mateo Di Blasi (ISV) is making his first career appearance at the Youth Sailing World Championships in Sanya, China, the world's premier junior sailing event.
Mateo Di Blasi (ISV) is making his first career appearance at the Youth Sailing World Championships in Sanya, China, the world’s premier junior sailing event.
While Di Blasi, 15, has only been sailing the Laser Radial for less than a year, he brings to Sanya a strong determination to improve his skills, and to follow in the footsteps of the many notable U.S. Virgin Islands sailors who have come before him.
“The guys who are older than me, like [Olympians] Thomas Barrows (St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands) and Cy Thompson (St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands), and [match racing World Champion] Taylor Canfield (St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands), are an inspiration to me,” says Di Blasi. “They sail at the top, and they get exposure for the Virgin Islands. Someday I hope I will do the same.”
Di Blasi has no shortage of role models coming from the USVI, a group that includes his sister Agustina Barbuto (St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands), who competed at the Youth Worlds in 2011. “St. John is a small island, and does not have many sports that you can play year-round. My parents decided that sailing made sense for me, and it was the best fit.”
Di Blasi sees the Youth Worlds as a different experience from any other regatta. “The event is really awesome, because it’s the best from every country,” said Di Blasi. “At most regattas, it’s a few from each country. This one is just for the best of the best. It’s cooler, but harder.”
In terms of his future plans, Di Blasi is focused on learning and racing as much as he can. “The Youth Worlds has helped me gain big-fleet experience, fleet management, and starts, which is very hard for me to find back home,” said Di Blasi. “I’m getting better each day, but my goal has always been to get to the Olympics someday. I owe a lot to my parents, who have helped me get coaching, once they realized how committed I was.”
“The guys who are older than me, like [Olympians] Thomas Barrows (St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands) and Cy Thompson (St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands), and [match racing World Champion] Taylor Canfield (St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands), are an inspiration to me,” says Di Blasi. “They sail at the top, and they get exposure for the Virgin Islands. Someday I hope I will do the same.”
Di Blasi has no shortage of role models coming from the USVI, a group that includes his sister Agustina Barbuto (St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands), who competed at the Youth Worlds in 2011. “St. John is a small island, and does not have many sports that you can play year-round. My parents decided that sailing made sense for me, and it was the best fit.”
Di Blasi sees the Youth Worlds as a different experience from any other regatta. “The event is really awesome, because it’s the best from every country,” said Di Blasi. “At most regattas, it’s a few from each country. This one is just for the best of the best. It’s cooler, but harder.”
In terms of his future plans, Di Blasi is focused on learning and racing as much as he can. “The Youth Worlds has helped me gain big-fleet experience, fleet management, and starts, which is very hard for me to find back home,” said Di Blasi. “I’m getting better each day, but my goal has always been to get to the Olympics someday. I owe a lot to my parents, who have helped me get coaching, once they realized how committed I was.”
By Will Ricketson – World Sailing
—
Find out how to follow and engage with the event:
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow the event on World Sailing’s social networks and get involved in the conversation using #youthworlds #yswcsanya
Facebook
World Sailing’s Youth Worlds Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/YouthWorlds/ – will bring you daily imagery, video and live sailor interviews.
Instagram
Like and comment on the best World Sailing images on the @worldsailingofficial Instagram account and be sure to watch out for exclusive behind the scenes features on Instagram Stories.
Twitter
The best place for live updates from the Youth Worlds, the @youthworlds twitter account will deliver coverage from across the racing areas throughout the duration of the championships.
WATCH
Daily highlights and feature videos will be available on World Sailing’s YouTube Channel – www.youtube.com/worldsailingtv.
RESULTS
Results are available here – http://www.worldsailingywc.org/results/2017_sanya_china.php
PRESS RELEASES
World Sailing will be releasing international press releases after racing throughout the duration of 2017 Youth Worlds. All the latest news and reports will be available to read here – http://www.sailing.org/news/youth-worlds.php.