Please select your home edition
Edition
Ancasta Ker 33 728x90

ISAF Sailing World Cup Mallorca - Windsurfer Marina Alabau returns

by Luis Pomar (translated by Lisa Camos) on 5 Apr 2014
Marina Alabau Neira (ESP-5), RS:X Women © Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa Sofia / Jesus Renedo http://www.trofeoprincesasofia.org/
At the ISAF Sailing World Cup Mallorca - Trofeo Princesa Sofia, Spanish windsurfer Marina Alabau, the current RS:X Women's Olympic champion, returned to top level competition after giving birth to her first baby last September. With a lot of work ahead, the sailor returns to the racing course 'with the goal and motivation' of being in Río 2016. The fourth stop of the Sailing World Cup, to be held until tomorrow in the bay of Palma, will help her check her physical condition to start getting ready for the Worlds in September.

How is the return to work?

Marina Alabau Neira (ESP), RS:X Women © Ana Martinez / Sofia Mapfre http://www.trofeoprincesasofia.org/
Marina Alabau Neira (ESP), RS:X Women © Ana Martinez / Sofia Mapfre http://www.trofeoprincesasofia.org/

After having a baby it has been harder than expected and it has been tough to regain physical strength. When Martita, my daughter, was one month old I started going to the gym, when she was two I started sailing… The Trofeo Princesa Sofía will tell me how far away I am from being back on the top and how much I must train and work hard to be ready for the Worlds in Santander.

Are you happy to be back at the Trofeo Sofía?

It is my most important event after motherhood. The Sofia is my favourite event, a regatta where there is always wind and the organization is unbeatable. Nice sailing, clean waters and an extremely enjoyable stay.

What is your goal for the coming years?

The goal and motivation is being in Río 2016. This period without racing has been very good for me and I am back longing for competition. I left sailing at a very high level and now that I am a few steps down, I am motivated to compete again.

How is a day for Marina Alabau, mum and sailor?

I get up at 7.30 – 8 with Martita’s first bottle. I have breakfast and go for cardio sessions because I need to lose weight. I go back to feed my daughter and then I go on the water for two hours. At mid-afternoon, I go back home again to feed my daughter and so on until she falls asleep.

Marina Alabau Neira (ESP-5), RS:X Women © Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa Sofia / Jesus Renedo http://www.trofeoprincesasofia.org/
Marina Alabau Neira (ESP-5), RS:X Women © Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa Sofia / Jesus Renedo http://www.trofeoprincesasofia.org/


So your daughter marks your schedule..

I am lucky to count on both grandmothers who help out because when I go sailing, my husband comes with me because he is also my coach. He goes before me and gets the board and sail ready … I arrive and go sailing, they make things very easy for me.

When you decided to stop to have a baby a year ago you were in top physical shape, how do you feel now?

I have very good sensations but I need to improve my physical condition. With light or strong winds it is difficult.

Blanca Carracedo-Serra (ESP) Marina Alabau Neira (ESP); Farrah Hall (USA), RS:X Women © Pedro Martinez/MartinezStudio/Sofia http://www.trofeoprincesasofia.org/
Blanca Carracedo-Serra (ESP) Marina Alabau Neira (ESP); Farrah Hall (USA), RS:X Women © Pedro Martinez/MartinezStudio/Sofia http://www.trofeoprincesasofia.org/


Will we see you again at the Olympic Games?

I see myself in Río, indeed. Right now it is far away because we need to classify the nation first and then I have to be the best Spanish sailor, but it is not Event website

Zhik Dinghy 660x82Ancasta Ker 40+ 660x82Southern Spars - 100

Related Articles

First in at the end of Road to Rio series – AST Paralympic medallists
Behind every Olympic/Paralympic medal is an amazing adventure this is first in a series of videos with AST medallists Behind every Olympic and Paralympic medal is an amazing adventure and journey, this is the first in a series of videos looking at the #RoadToRio with the Australian Sailing Team medallists, celebrating their homecoming and looking back on their journey.
Posted on 25 Sep Park’s pride at “end of an era” for Rio Paralympic Sailing
Two bronze medals for Helena Lucas in the 2.4mR one person keelboat and Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell in the SKUD18 Two bronze medals for Helena Lucas in the 2.4mR one person keelboat and Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell in the SKUD18 two-person keelboat in the final races of the regatta on Saturday meant Britain’s sailors finished on the podium twice for the second Paralympics running and achieved their pre-Rio medal target.
Posted on 19 Sep Britain’s Sonar trio proved to be true to their word at Rio Paralympic
The Brits had gone into the race knowing that a medal was out of their reach but vowing to put on a display of their bes The Brits had gone into the race knowing that a medal was out of their reach but vowing to put on a display of their best form after enduring a rollercoaster regatta.
Posted on 18 Sep Rio 2016 - America's Cup champion says Paralympics need to think big
The first email of congratulations we got was from Russell Coutts and the second was from Dean Barker America's Cup skippers, Russell Coutts and Dean Barker were amongst the first to congratulate Rick Dodson and his Sonar crew on their fourth place in the Paralympics which concluded on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro. 'The first email of congratulations we got was from Russell Coutts and the second was from Dean Barker,' team manager Celia Snedden told Sail-World from Rio de Janeiro.
Posted on 18 Sep Sonar Silver for Doerr, Kendell and Freund at Paralympic Games
With a victory in the final race of the event, U.S. Paralympic Team sailors Rick Doerr (Clifton, N.J.), Brad Kendell With a victory in the final race of the event, U.S. Paralympic Team sailors Rick Doerr (Clifton, N.J.), Brad Kendell (Tampa, Fla.) and Hugh Freund (South Freeport, Maine) have won silver medals in the Sonar class, the three-person Paralympic keelboat.
Posted on 18 Sep Rio 2016 - Bronze medal decided by tiebreaker in Sonar
With the Sonar Gold medal already won the previous day it was down to the battle for silver and bronze With the Sonar Gold medal already won the previous day by the Australian team of Colin Harrison, Russell Boaden and Jonathan Harris with a race to spare, it was down to the battle for silver and bronze in the three man keelboat. After penultimate race, mathematically there were still quite a few teams left in the fight, but USA and Canada, sitting in second and third respectively, had the advan
Posted on 18 Sep Rio 2016 - Victory lap for first ever double Gold Paralympic winners
Sailing in the SKUD18 fleet were the only sailors in history to defend a Paralympic title. Sailing in the SKUD18 fleet were the only sailors in history to defend a Paralympic title. That honour was bestowed on Australia's Daniel Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch with two races to spare in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Sailing Competition. Sailing on day five was just a victory lap. A victory lap they still finished second place in.
Posted on 18 Sep Rio 2016 - France's Seguin claims Norlin OD Paralympic Gold
The Rio 2016 Paralympics came to a spectacular close with the medals decided in front of a sell-out crowd In a finale fitting on the setting, the Rio 2016 Paralympic Sailing Competition came to a spectacular close with the medals decided in front of a sell-out crowd lining the shores of Flamengo Beach. Racing on the Pao de Acucar (Sugarloaf Mountain) race course, onlookers were treated to a thrilling climax in which some medals were settled by just seconds.
Posted on 17 Sep Rio 2016 - Kiwi Sonar crew going all out in the big breeze for final
The New Zealand Sonar keelboat crew of Rick Dodson, Andrew May and Chris Sharp have it all before them in the final race The New Zealand Sonar keelboat crew of Rick Dodson, Andrew May and Chris Sharp have it all before them in the final race of the Paralympics in Guanbara Bay, tomorrow. They are one of a group of five boats who are contesting the remaining two medals after the Australian crew won the Gold medal in a topsy-turvy day in Rio de Janeiro.
Posted on 17 Sep Rio 2016 - Images from Day 5 of the Paralympics - SKUD18 class
Richard Langdon was on the waters of Guanabara Bay for Day 5 of racing in the two person SKUD 18 keelboat class Richard Langdon was on the waters of Guanabara Bay for Day 5 of racing in the two person SKUD 18 keelboat class and provided this gallery of images. The event is was one on the penultimate day by the Australian crew giving their second Gold Medal from three classes at the regatta.
Posted on 17 Sep
This site and its contents are Copyright © 2016 Sail-World USA and/or the original author, photographer etc. All Rights Reserved. Photographs are copyright by law. If you wish to use or buy a photograph contact the photographer directly.
If you have any questions about advertising or editorial then please contact our team. If you encounter any technical issues then please email techsupport@sail-world.com
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy