Francisco started his career in Optimists and has gone on to compete in several other classes in international championships since and he now joins the team for the first time for The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint.
Local “kid” Francisco started sailing at 12 in our home waters at the Clube Naval de Cascais. It was here that he got his inspiration to do The Ocean Race, observing the sailors of the Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team operate from their base at the club.
Francisco started his career in Optimists and has gone on to compete in several other classes in international championships since and he now joins the team for the first time for The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint.
About
Nationality
Portuguese
Date of birth
24 January 2001
Languages
Portuguese, English.
Q&A
If you weren’t a sailor what would you be doing?
Working as a captain in boats or something related with the oceans.
What is the hardest lesson you have learnt through being a professional sailor?
We must sacrifice things in live in order to pursued our dreams.
What is the one bit of advice you would give a young person aspiring to become a professional sailor?
Watch and learn from the ones that already experienced things.
Describe what The Ocean Race means to you in under 10 words.
Dream come true.
What do you love about the ocean?
The unknown and the not controllable environment wich lead us to a very tactic race.
What has been the most amazing wildlife encounter that you’ve had while sailing?
Dolphins jumping over the bow.
Have you seen anything that has concerned you about the state of the oceans?
Lots of fishing garbage.
What do you think should be done to protect and restore the oceans?
Stop using single-use plastic bottles.