| CASCAIS, PORTUGAL-(30-8-2003) Frederik Loof, two times european champion in Star class is already in Cascais to participate in the Portuguese Championship.
Although this is not his first time in Portugal, his previous passage in our country is not in his memory anymore because in that time he «was only 13 years old». He was taking his first steps in sailing and passed in Cascais in «a time out on the way to the first Optimist World Championship». Besides, this visit is pleasing him: «it's a very nice city». The well known portuguese welcome has inclusively been referred by the skipper who was «very surprised because people are very kind, in the streets, in the hotel, everywhere. This is really fantastic!».
Just only the bad weather of yesterday and the lack of wind that prevent the realization of the second regatta could take the happy frame of mind of the athletes. But the atmospherical conditions don't worry the swedish crew: «we feel that we are ready to compete and, for that reason, we aren't worried about that». Their confidence rellies on the way they won the first regatta, they led the race from start to finish, but they remenber that «some of the best sailors haven't arrived yet».
Questioned about the goals for this european, he didn't gave a result to achieve. Since the World Championship, that will take place in Cadiz, will occur «just four or five days before the world championship, we won't risk much, our goal is the world championship». Nevertheless, «We will give our best!». At last the America's Cup was topic of our conversation, Loof will take part in the oldest sailing competition. However he didn't told us in which syndicate: «I can't reveal which crew I'll be part of, but I think it would be good if Cascais be the venue of America's Cup».
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