Fernando Echávarri
Fernando Echavarri (born 13 August 1971 in Pontevedra, Spain) is a professional yachtsman in the Olympic Tornado Class. With Antón Paz Blanco as a crew, he was Spanish, European, and World Champion in this class.
Early life
Born in Pontevedra, Echavarri grew up in Santander. His father is a doctor. He has two brothers (one of which is called Carlos) and one sister.
Learning to sail
He came out of the Optimist fleet of the Real Club Náutico de Sangenjo. His family would attend regattas all over Spain. His parents did not sail. Fernando was influenced greatly by his older brother Carlos.
Tornado sailing
The Tornado is a two person catamaran that achieves very high speeds. The Tornado has been one of the few boats used in Olympic Sailing Competitions. It was added in 1976 to the assortment of boats in the Olympic Event overseen by the International Sailing Federation.
The Tornado was designed in the autumn of 1967 by Rodney March from England, with help from Terry Pierce, and Reg White, specifically for the purpose of being the new Olympic Catamaran, which was to be selected by the IYRU in an Olympic Catamaran Trials. The boat was developed mainly in Brightlingsea, England.
The Tornado has since remained unchallenged as the ultimate one-design catamaran. With its modern, stylish rigging and sleek lines the Tornado is quick to catch the eye of any water-drawn on-looker as it speeds across harbors, lakes, and oceans in over 30 countries around the world. With its ability to reach speeds of 15-18 knots upwind and downwind, and 33+ knots reaching, the Tornado is truly the purists' speed machine.
2004 Olympics
Fernando Echavarri and Anton Paz represented Spain in the 2004 Olympic Competition held in Athens Spain. The conditions were difficult with strong winds and wild changes in direction. The team finished 7th place overall.
![[1]](http://www.sailing.org/isafcal/photos/library/3100.jpg){kind=link}
The gold medal winners were Roman HAGARA and Hans Peter STEINACHER of Austria followed by the Americans Johnny Lovell and Charlie Ogletree. Hagara and Steniacher also won the gold medal in Sydney Australia.
![[2]](http://www.sailing.org/isafcal/photos/library/3417.jpg){kind=link}
World Championships
Fernando and Anton won the 2005 Tornado World Championship in 2005 and In 2007 they won the Worlds Cascais Portugal. Final Results pdf
He was ISAF World Sailor of the Year in 2005.
2008 Olympics
Fernando was at the Pre-Olympic Regattas at Qingdoa China for the 2006 and 2007 events. The city of The conditions in China are marginal quality for a good sailing competion, the currents are strong, the winds are light and variable and the competition produces unexpected results. 2007 Olympic Test Sailing Event in Qingdoa
2007 Test Event Results from Qingdao
2008 Olympic Sailing Event in Qingdao
External links
- ISAF World Rankings ISAF- currently second and falling fast (spring 2007)
- Harken Interview of Fernando Echavarri
- World Sailor Press Conference
- Movistar Volvo Round the World Race - Echavarri Added
- Debut on Team Movistar
- Olympic Tornado Catamaran
{{Category:1971 births]]