In this edition of "Meet the Fleet," we chat with Francisco Andrade, the talented Hungarian coach behind the Women's World Champions in the 29er class. Francisco brings a wealth of experience and passion to the sport, having coached at the highest levels. Below, he shares his insights on his journey, his love for the 29er, and tips for aspiring sailors.
What is your name? Francisco Andrade
Who do you coach? I coach the Hungarian team in both the 29er and 49er classes.
What is your background in sailing? My sailing background spans several classes, including Optimist, 420, 470, 49er, Moth, and Dragon.
How did you come to coach the 29er? During the Tokyo 2020 Olympic campaign, I was coaching the 49er class and noticed that some of the sailors lacked the foundation to reach the Olympic level. That realization led me to focus on younger sailors around 15-16 years old. It’s been a huge learning curve, but I decided to make the whole journey with them, helping to build that base from the ground up.
What is your favorite thing about the 29er? The speed of the boat and the fast thinking it requires. It’s an exciting and dynamic class to work with.
Do you think the 29er is a good boat for today’s youth sailors, and why? Absolutely. The 29er helps young sailors develop a better feel for the boat. They learn about balance, strategy, and how to handle a fast, responsive vessel, which are all critical skills in the sport.
Can you share 5 tips for reaching the top of the international 29er fleet?
1) Move the rudder as little as possible.
2) Learn how to trim the sails properly, especially how to play with the main leech and feel the boat.
3) Be able to sail fast while keeping an eye on what’s happening outside the boat.
4) Sail fast all the time, but remember to rest after each race.
5) Most importantly, enjoy sailing as much as you can! ?
What are your future goals in the sport? My main goal is to help Hungary achieve a place in the Olympics in the 49er class with a genuine chance to compete for a medal. This journey starts by building a strong foundation in the 29er class, with plenty of teams working together to elevate the sport in the country.
Francisco's passion for sailing and coaching shines through in everything he does, from nurturing young talent to dreaming big on the Olympic stage. We’re excited to see what the future holds for him and his team!
Stay tuned for more insights from the fleet in upcoming editions!