The president of Honour of the Finn class, Gerardo Seeliger, on board his ship. Photo: Robert Deaves

Gerardo Seeliger could be considered a gentleman of the sailing world, from his position as Honour President of the Finn International class. From its time of Palamós as a regatist was Olympic in Munich 1972 and Montreal 1976, where it was the Spanish flag. It has been part of various committees of the World Sailing and the International Olympic Committee. He is a socio-founder of the company of head hunters Seeliger and Conde, of which he currently holds the presidency of his Foundation. He is passionate about the world of sailing and his 70 years still has a lot of sports to do.

Seeliger has been preparing the Finn Master World Championship of El Balís, which will be held in the waters of Sant Andreu de Llavaneres, in the Maresme, from 18 to 25 May. To this end, he is participating in races at the highest level: "I am 70 years old and my challenge is to stay the best possible in the championships... my primary goal is to be able to podium in the Master World Championship of El Balís, in the Legends category... in the Christmas Race of Palamós and in the European of Cadiz was by far the largest of all regatists... there were the best in the world and my ambition in these championships was to stay among the first of more than 55 years... and in this I am."

If you had so far taken these races as training, what is clear is that now "The Finn Master World Cup, in my case, is already very serious... I already have identified all my companions - rivals, and I trust to be able to look good... there is an American, a Ukrainian,... in short, there are very good people... but I am sailing with great illusion and passion, and the more wind and the more my knees hurt, the more I enjoy and the more I run... I am very lively."

If you have no doubt about anything, it is that "The World Cup of El Balís is going to be a great success... there was an earlier championship in Torbole in which there were more than 300 ships and in El Balís it has already been confirmed that this figure will be exceeded... the climate is good, the hotels are wonderful, there is an organizing committee that is striving a lot and with the help of all will be phenomenal... in addition, the fact that" there are also 20 Spaniards, a success... the class is not only at a very good level in the young Olympic, but also in the depth of the older... there is a range between 18 and 83, in our hero, in Perénez, where we are. "

What you expect during the dates of Finn's World Master is that "that area is known for the light winds, if the typical Garby enters we will be between 10- 12 knots, but in any case if it is not the wind, it is the social environment and the proximity to Barcelona, so that all participants have an unforgettable memory".