Nicolás Rodríguez and Ricardo Lorenzo in December 2008 at the Lagoa in Vigo... with them in the award of the Jorge Santos and Estanislao Durán (Photo Manolo Seoane)

The Galician regional press published in early December a note submitted by the Spanish Cup of 420 in which it carried the baton the Club Náutico Punta Lagoa, established in the nautical facilities created by Manuel Fernández de Sousa Faro and his wife Charo Andrade at the foot of the Guide... and that it had the maximum responsibility at company level to the great Estanislao Durán (ex- then the Monte Real Club of Yates), and as a comandoro of the Club, to another great Secundino Cigarrán Guldrís.

My friendship with both Manuel and Charo and of course with Estanis and Secundino, I was used to be in the front line of fire in that different club, quite differently than those still in a few cases, presume that I do not know that and more than anything long for the laying of their beautiful daughters and the sports games of the domino or the tute.

In Punta Lagoa we set up very fat issues, such as the match race elite tests... I remember in a World-wide Grade 1 Open that another big one like Tamara Echegoyen, which started on these sides... it was last!... but eye, it was left!... because there was someone, like Don Manuel, who put them next to their little house, competitions of the world's very first level.

Another one I met was a little boy, with the face of an excellent person and a bonachon... but of those who notice the caste... they are noticed that they can become champions: Nicolás Rodríguez, who today with Jordi Xammar have achieved nothing less than a bronze medal at the Tokyo Games.

Nicolás struck me and it was a professional relationship that developed after his exotic participation in that 420 Spanish Cup in the Vigo Ria... in which his current partner, Xammar, also competed, but in another 420.

More years ago in 1987- 1988 I had been surprised by another young man, who I managed to board on the boat he had with Javier Gandara and my wife: the Bombay Gin (Quarter Ton)... not without effort I convinced Javier to take to Falmouth to the 1989 World Cup... and I would appoint him as a substitute for Pas Retolaza... and I also remember that we discussed a lot because I with the support of Chema Ullivarri (our sponsor, was the Brand Manager of Bombay Gin within J & B) and the cited Estanis Durán (Múliera del Púlio...

That little boy was a "Libyan" Jaime Arbons... his resume in the candle, it's not necessary to repeat it once again.

Well, with Nico, something like that happened to me. I tried to help him, even sponsor him... but the pocket didn't give... that the illusion did. We talked about 2012 when I even asked the Bouzas Maritime Licensing to subsidize him... and he would teach the kids.

I assured them that it was a crack and that I would end up winning an Olympic medal... but I preached in the desert... because the blind people who can't see are the worst.

As you know in those years, Don Manuel Fernández de Sousa Faro helped him, Pescanova helped him... I just met him in my office, and tried to put him on the market, but with his enormous humanity and quality he soon took off, and he entered the Movistar team...

I assure you, this morning I took one of my greatest sports joys of my life.

You've got it.

Manuel Pedro Seoane
Nautical entrepreneur and ND Editor