He left us one of the greatest Francisco Sitges shipowner of the "Xargos"
He left us one of the greatest Francisco Sitges shipowner of the "Xargos"
"Xargo IV" sailing at the Cowes Week (Photo Beken)
He left us one of the great Spanish heavy sail, left us "Don Francisco," left us Francisco Javier Sitges Menéndez at the age of 91... and made him true to his personality. Astorian on the four sides, came to this world in the parish of Arnao, in Castrillon in the distant year of 1929.
Sitges will be remembered in the business for having been the promoter, creator and leader of Azsa, of Astoriana of Zinc... and in the world of the nautical as the first Spanish navigator, to be the shipowner of a "maxi..." a spectacular design of the Argentine naval engineer German Frers in 80 feet... "Xargo IV..." that he achieved among many other victories to win in the U.S. SORC Regatas... before he had three "Xargos" highlighting the "Xargo III" a then modernized Swan 65 who participated in one of the last World Rings, under the patronage of the Whitbread Southern Brewery... after all these giants... the smallest of the "Lone" saga.
In the "Xargo" with Don Juan Carlos, Prince Felipe... and Dennis Conner Mr.Copa América
The Asturian shipowner broke with many barriers, when he managed to have as his patron at times the mythical Dennis Conner... who in 2005 just came to Vigo in the middle of the Caixanova Week by the hand of two of his best friends: José Eraso and Toni Román... and mine as a deep admirer and loyal collaborator of which he was one of the most important characters of the Spanish candle of the last century.
The reason for the trip of the American Mr. Copa América, which we had organized by the great Franco Cobas (then president of the Nautico de Vigo), Ramón Ojea (who was the comandoro)... with the total support of José Angel Rodríguez Santos (president in 2005 of the Galician Federation) and Gerardo Pombo (the Spanish one)... in which the executive of Caixanova... Jorge Santos was a fundamental piece... a great tribute, with the Federation's award of the gold medal... distinction that he received another of the heavy costs of sailing at state level, Manuel Fernández de Sousa Faro.
The Swan 65 "Xargo III"
The so-crazed "brand Spain" lució de la mano de Don Francisco... that Spain in "black and white" for many, was represented by a super boat, loaded with young people, with Olympic medals, with great patterns and crew... was certainly one of the best maxis in the world... and consequently a window of incomparable modernity... as well as impacting... for your Spain.
At the club level, the most favored of the Monte Real Club of Yates of Baiona... he pampered and prestised at incredible levels... of which comments like this were made in national nautical magazines: "They have it very believed in Baiona... even the most humble sailor says... take care that we take no Yates Club, or melhor ship of Spain.
Don Juan Carlos to the cane of the "Xargo..." to his right the great Santana... of standing to his left two young Toni and José
I leave you with the account of another great Pedro Sardina... of what was his tribute in Vigo... thanks to Don Francisco for having deserved your friendship... thanks for your embrace when I told you about the "tribute" at your house in Madrid, and thanks for that embrace with tears from both of you, in which you whispered to me: Thank you for making me happy!... thank you Captain has been a true honor.
Photo of 2005 in the Moraleja: from left to right Toni Román, Francisco Sitges and José Eraso... in the camera I... by my side Pedro Sardina
ABC, Pedro Sardina (Vigo); 30 October 2005
Yesterday they received an emotional tribute from the great family of the Spanish candle Francisco Sitges (owner of the saga "Xargo") and Manuel Fernández (owner of the saga "Vento" and of the "Galicia 93 Pescanova"), and to which the American Dennis Conner and the Argentine German Frers attended as guests of exception. The first as the pattern of the "Xargo IV" and the second as the ship's designer. At the edge of one of the afternoon Conner and Frers accompanied by managers of the Nautico de Vigo and members of the crew of the "Xargo IV" approached the dry marina of the optimist, installed on the Avenida promenade in the centre of Vigo.
The response of the young regatists was surprising by the presence among them of the four-time winner of the American Cup. At one point, the kids were offered to photograph themselves with the best sailing pattern of all time and hundreds of raudos girls and boys approached their idol. The national teams of the participating countries also formed in group with their coaches with Conner, in this race the Italian National Team was the fastest to make this historical photo. The main hall of the Real Club Náutico de Vigo, where at the edge of the two in the afternoon the act of gold medals of the Real Federación Española de Vela began to be delivered to Sitges and Fernández.
Primero Franco Cobas (President of the Nautico) and Juan Díaz Arnau (Caixanova), handed over plates to Conner and Frers, reflecting the appointment of Comodoros de Honor. After the delivery, they went up to the stand and were put next to Conner and Frers, regatists legend of the Nautico de Vigo: Cholo Armaño, Alberto Álvarez, Francisco Cominges, Rafael Olmedo, Gonzalo Romero, Carlos Pardo, Benigno Cuevas, Alfredo Lagos, Jesús Carlos García, Gaspar de Haga, Fernando Cominges, Juan Carlos Rodríguez Touges and Victor Ruiz, the whole group was photographed together with Conner, Frers, Cobas and Díaz Arnau.
It was very emotional and more than one could not contain the emotion. As a close of the event, Franco Cobas visibly excited himself to the attendees at the tribute lunch, and after him the President of the Galician Federation José Ángel Rodríguez read the curriculum of both awards, delivering the gold medals of the Spanish Federation, its President, Gerardo Pombo. To highlight the very excited words of Manuel Fernández and Francisco Sitges, as well as Dennis Conner who gave a gift of the legendary "Star & Stripes" to the shipowner of the "Xargo IV." It was an unforgettable day.
Manuel Pedro Seoane
Digital Nautical Editor
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