–We lived in Masnou. My parents sailed and decided that the five brothers would do it too. For us, it was mandatory – says Silvia Mas (27).
–And you always accepted it?
–At first there were tantrums. Think I was eight years old. My mother (Silvia Depares, Optimist world champion in the 80s) was my coach until I was fifteen. So, I thought she was very hard on me. She was a perfectionist and strict, although she took me with a lot of love. At that age you miss friends' birthdays, parties. On the weekend, you do your homework at the hotel... Now that she only acts as a mother with me, I can only thank her for all the effort and discipline she gave me.
–If you had children, would you do the same with them?
-Of course. And I understand there would be tantrums. It is normal for a child to have trouble navigating.
Then he shrugs his shoulders.
The family bet has turned out well. Silvia Mas' brothers have become strong in sailing. Luis has been world champion. Santi and David, champions of Spain. Silvia was an Olympian in Tokyo 2020 and won the World Championship in 470 in 2021 (along with Patricia Cantero).
And now, he lives by sailing.
Every morning he looks out on the balcony of his apartment in Vall d'Hebron, with wide views of the sea, and checks the winds. Then, road and Sitges.
There is the headquarters of the Sail Team BCN, the women's team and the youth team that, under the umbrella of CaixaBank, will compete in the America's Cup in Barcelona next summer. In Sitges there are the simulator, the containers, the crane, the team hotel, the restaurant...
–Being in the America's Cup is like entering another concept of sailing –says Silvia Mas.
And it is explained:
–As a child, when I started sailing, I had always interpreted it as a calmer exercise, more about gathering sails and managing the winds. In the Copa del América, the vision is different. The maneuvers are extreme, as are the speeds (46 knots are reached, something like 84 km/h). If you get lost, the boat capsizes. You must anticipate greatly what may happen. Since I like cars and motorcycles and speed, I am delighted with flying boats.
