Meet the 29er fleet - Interview 1

Male 29er gold to Maximo Videla and Tadeo Funes de Rioja (ARG) at the Allianz Youth World Sailing Championships © Sailing Energy / World Sailing

2022 Men's World Champions, Argentinian teammates Maximo Vedela and Tadeo Funes De Rioja take the spotlight and talk to us about all things 29er.

How long have you sailed the 29er?

We started sailing 29er in 2019 just after racing in Opti worlds, we started sailing and since then never stopped (except due to Covid restrictions).

What do you love about sailing the 29er and the racing?

What I like the most about sailing 29er is everything! It's hard to mention something as the best part of sailing the boat because it is all awesome, but some things that I really like is the fleet. It is the boat with the best fleet in number, and also in skill!

Also the class really always had the vibes that makes a serious competition atmosphere but still everyone makes friends with everyone, and I think that is the best part of sailing 29er.

What are your strengths as a team? Who does what job in the boat and what are you both good at?

Our strengths as a team are that we spread our tasks in the boat really well, so when we are in pressure situations we do what we have to do and we trust in what each other is doing.

In our boat we decided that the best is that Maxi develops the tactical and strategic planning, and I am the one that develops rigging, and boat speed.

Why do you think you've been so successful in the 29er?

I really don't know why, but what I know is that since the day we started sailing, we had a really nice bond with the boat, because we always try to discover new ways to do things, we always had fun in the boat, and enjoyed the process. So I think that's what has helped us a lot!

Do you have any top tips for people just starting in the 29er and those looking to improve their performance for next year?

Yes! To enjoy the boat, and to try new and different things - one of the greatest things in 29er is that there's not only one way to do things. Two boats can be doing things extremely different and they end up going at the exact same speed.

So my advice would be, never stop trying new ways to do things in the boat because that the best part of 29er sailing!

Anything else you'd like to share/feedback for us, we love to hear!

Thanks to the class organisation for everything, all the 29er championships we have raced were always awesome!