Poyán laments the irreparable damage caused by the Covit-19 with the loss of so many lives, many of them friends (Photo Pep Portas)

The president of the Federation of Madrid de Vela, Guillermo Poyán, when the Community of Madrid has not yet been able to start the deceleration as it continues in the "Phase 0," brings us closer to its view on the pandemic and how it has affected the federal entity at all levels...

We are gradually seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, how has this confinement been and has lived?

Bad and we're still in Phase 0. The desire of all is that this pandemic, which has caused many and serious problems at all levels, highlighting the many lives that have been lost, some athletes belonging to clubs in our surroundings, which gives us great sadness, to which we must add the thousands of contagies, many are friends, regatists and leaders of clubs and federations that have been admitted, although fortunately they are already in their homes ending up recovering, ending or going as soon as possible and we can return to a small but stable normality.

How has it affected and affected the Madrilestra Vela Federation?

A confinement is not acceptable to anyone, and if we put it in a very deep financial and health crisis, no symptoms of how it will end, even worse. The federation is no longer a victim of day-to-day life that at present lives not only Spain, but much of the universe. The sports stop of our sport, as well as the administrative one, has been and is very harmful to us although I suppose that for all of us, without almost exception, not to issue licences, tests for degrees, courses for initiation to the sail, produces a very important decrease in our income, which last year with the lack of water in our reservoirs had hurt us, both by having to suspend tests, such as Sailing Week, with a major sponsor, and by various courses already programmed with a marrito club athlete with which we had an agreement. This year, as I have already mentioned, the inactivity is total. We have not been able to celebrate our General Assembly, we have not been able to implement the electoral system and we do not know what else can happen to us.

The works at the Vela Center, in the San Juan reservoir, which were almost finished, are they going to be resumed soon?

The works of our Vela Center are practically completed, little details remain, including the main lack of funding. The Director of Sports of the Community of Madrid, Alberto Álvarez, together with his team were at the end of January knowing the facilities and giving us all their support, understanding how interesting a centre like this is for Madrid, but the circumstances that have been overcome have all paralyzed, except our illusion. The builder, whom we are very grateful to, has promised us with the arrival of good time to finish the works while waiting for us to find final funding for them. Also, and on the part of the City Council of San Martin, we have its support after several meetings, since in the elections a year ago there had been a change of party in the municipal council of the municipality and we had only been able to speak above its collaboration, and we finally had it.

It has been found that, in both Guadalix and San Juan and other reservoirs, the quality and level of water is very good for navigation. Does this mean a little joy and relief after the enormous problems caused by the Covity19?

The water in all of the Communities of the Interior of our Peninsula is basic to our sport, having a good level of it means having more comfort for its practice, so we are satisfied, but the problem of the Community of Madrid, in particular, is that 95% of its practitioners live in Madrid capital or in neighbouring populations, but not coinciding with the municipalities to which the sports facilities and the reservoirs belong, which together with the prohibition of not being able to leave your municipality, at least for the moment, produces a greater pessimism, because at that level and it is not possible to see much more, even if it is not to see much more, and it is not to be seen.

How will the Federation manage the deceleration and return to activities?

Well, calm down and waiting for events.

Madrid Azul and other summer school campaigns scheduled for 2020, how are they to be articulated, if they can be done?

The Blue Madrid this year has been suspended by the Community under the circumstances, schools are without classes and as consequences without students, which cannot be moved on top. The economic break for us is unquestionable and we hope that, if after August the water has not fallen much, we can do some extra-school activity and see if something can be recovered, but...

Has this pandemic affected the economic structure of the Federation?

With what I have told you before, it has certainly already affected us last year, and now it has been a bit of a deal.

On a global level, how do you see the return to the activity of the sailing sport? Is it possible to carry out any race already in August, since in June it is unviable and July is in the air?

At the general level there is everything. At the international level, the Olympic Games have been postponed for almost a year, the classes have suspended their world, European, international races and countless clubs have suspended their reference competitions to date, the truth I do not know what can be confirmed with certainty today. We hope that in August it will be a change.

In the same line of globalization, as it is very linked to the nautical sector, in addition to clubs and federations, how has this pandemic affected and at what level and how will recovery be?

Well, the company in which I worked as an advisor has made an ERTE for a part of the staff, some products have stopped working as a vast majority that will have to recite and seek new alternatives, if you want to survive, I wish it with all my affection.