Video: Luca Devoti & Santiago Lange on sailing

Luca Devoti speaks with Santiago Lange about world sailing © Luca Devoti

Luca Devoti once skippered America's Cup campaigns and won Olympic medals, now he is campaigning to join the World Sailing Board. As part of his bid, he is interviewing high profile sailors from around the world and getting their views on what should be the future of the sport.

Santiago Lange was the 2016 Gold medal winner in the Nacra 17 class sailing with Cecilia Saroli. Santi has represented Argentina in six Olympics in four classes, winning two Bronze medals and a Gold medal in Rio. He was the oldest Gold medal winner in any sport in Rio, and achieved this win on the back of a cancer bout - removing one lung. His two sons represented Argentina in the 49er class at the 2016 Olympics, with Lange's intention being to sit out the regatta and coach his sons instead, and only later decided to sail the Nacra 17.

Lange has also competed in two America's Cups, the last with the Challenger Finalist Artemis Racing in Bermuda. He has also competed in two Volvo Ocean Races.

Santiago Lange was awarded the World sailor of the Year trophy in 2016.

Santiago Lange, sailing is his life, he explains his ideas and projects for the future. Listen to his contiguous enthusiasm for our fantastic sport!

Sail-World: As well as being a top sailor in the Finn class, and now a coach, Luca Devoti is best known for his founding of Devoti Boats - one of the top dinghy builders in the world. He was recently accused by World Sailing of having a monopoly in the Finn class because all but one sailor competing in the 2016 Olympics went and ordered the latest Finn from Devoti Boats. That one sailor put his faith in one of the previous model of Devoti's.

Luca Devoti also put together the +39 Challenge for the 2007 America's Cup, one of three Italian challengers in the event.

Italian born, Luca speaks six languages and lives with his family in Valencia, Spain. In addition to his sailing skills and contributions to the sport at many levels, Luca is also a very good journalist and able to easily relate to sailors at all levels through shared experience. His contacts and networks at all levels of the sport are extensive.

This series of interviews offer some fascinating insights into the shared experiences of two top sailors - even though they have competed in quite different areas of the sport.

You can read Luca's background and other sailing contribution and thoughts at devotiluca.com