Exit of the sixth and decisive manga in Cascais

We are in the summer town of Cascais at the end of August, very close to Lisbon, known in Spain for its beauty and because it passed there part of the exile Don Juan de Borbón. 20 countries have come together to celebrate nothing less than the Snipe World Championship, only the Uruguay meeting that does not get there with your boat on time. Preparing their "snipes" are only days from the beginning of the World Cup: the United States, Brazil, Bahamas, Bermuda, Cuba, Argentina and Canada (for the Americas); Turkey and Japan for Asia; South Africa for the Black Continent; and Spain, Switzerland, Italy, England, Norway, Belgium, Sweden, France, Denmark and of course the hosts Portugal,..., for Spain its champions of the Real Sporting Club of Las Arenas,..., of the Real Maritime Club of the Abra-Real Sporting Club since the end of the last century. To the rod Juan Manuel Alonso Allende, as crew Gabriel Laiseca already known in those years as the "Chinito" (say the journalistic chronicles of those years that "was a boy who did not reach the age of twenty, of strong and very agile constitution,..., the best in Spain as such"And they bet. "he likes to sail alone in a Cadet through the Abra of Bilbao,..., and he usually haggles with the Con of Zubiria,...").

Fernando the sailor of Allende, fundamental in boxes

Triumph of Switzerland and disqualification of Spain

With a soft south wind, the World Championship in Portuguese waters begins on September 2, 1957. The Guadalimar is at the heart of all, and decides to turn, being mapped to port with the clear intention of passing through the stern of South Africans. Allende is created with sufficient space, but he is wrong and slightly addressed to his rivals,... without thinking to port with secure disqualification. The victory is for the Swiss, who premiere with leadership.

El Guadalimar "at the Snipe Exhibition that I organized together with Juan Marcet, in honor of Cholo Marina, Fernando Massó, Allende-Laiseca and Félix Gancedo (Caixanova Week 2004).

Guadalimar wins after a typical struggle with the Norwegian

The wind was caused by its absence, successive 60-minute postponement, until at four in the afternoon it was in the 20 knots. The Olympic triangle, and the exit is as beautiful as it is worked, starting first Norway. After the Nordic, the group in which Spain appears,... but it is Switzerland that takes the second position after the first stretch, the Spanish ship being the third. The fresh wind gives the peaches wings. After the three heads, the Americans, who gradually lose their way to the surprise of their own and strangers, at a time when Spain takes second place and throws itself in search of Norway to take away the partial victory. In the final part of the sleeve already with a very fresh wind of 25 knots, Allende and Laiseca are made with the control clearly, and show that we have to count on them.

Switzerland repeats victory, being the second place for the US

Again, the lack of wind. This time of about three hours. Our representatives are not fine in a test where the Swiss win again, being the second position for the Americans. After this third manga, Spain is 8th after Switzerland, Italy, Cuba, USA, England and Norway. We didn't have it easy, much less!

The Classification. Allende and Laiseca were honored by the Athetic Club in San Mamés on September 16, 1957. They made the bridesmaids in a match against the Celta, which by the way won the Basque by 6-0.

Spain dates back and gets second, after the provisional leadership of Switzerland

Also little time in the fourth: just 8 knots. From the start Bahamas and Bermuda take the lead, while Spain was going to the fleet, it is found that when turning it takes over,..., from there the advantage of Allende is increasing, winning Spain ahead of the US, Switzerland, Cuba, Italy and England. Our compatriots are fully involved in the struggle for the title because they are already second after Swiss and ahead of the US, Cuba and England.

Fifth test: the first attempt is overturned and Switzerland is again successful

The fifth test is cancelled for not completing anyone within the time limit set the route, so the repetition (the sixth really) takes place, and the Swiss win ahead of their already direct rivals, the "Guadalimar." After optimism, the concern comes back, as Switzerland stands out, ahead of Spain, the US, Italy and Cuba.

Allende and Laisea. To the right the pattern to the water, celebrating to win the world

In the sexy manga, Spain achieves victory

It's more than six in the afternoon when the race starts. Spain dominates the first round in barlovento, ahead of Norway, Cuba, the US and Switzerland. The possibilities of the "Guadalimar" are in the stay of Switzerland in the fourth or fifth square, and also win,.... The barlovento beacon is reached with Spain outstanding, after Norway, very close to Cuba,..., and Switzerland with the US!. Nervousness among Spanish fans, for we are on the limit of possibilities. But Cuba remains strong in the third square and gives no choice to some desperate Swiss who have to settle. _

EFE News

Cascaes (Portugal) .- Spain has won the World Race Championship, of the "snipe" class, by classifying first the "Guadalimar" boat, which represented it. Juan Manuel Alonso Allende, the master of the ship, taking Laiseca as a proel, imposed themselves on the other participants, by getting three first positions, a second and a fifth, of the six races held.

Manuel Pedro Seoane Cordal
Director of Regats of the RCMA-RSC (1999-2000) and perpetual collaborator of the Maritime