Swan 45 “Yasha” will add an exotic touch to the Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre, a regatta which is becoming every time more international, judging by the colors that can be seen on the pontoons. Daisuke “Dise-K” Sato, one of the best japanese match race sailors, and pitman onboard the japanese boat, tells us about what japanese think about the Majorcan regatta, about boat owner Yukihiro Ishida's project, and about what this regatta means to him.


Question: “Dise-K”, is this your first time in Spain?

Answer: No, I was here for the 2006 University Match Race Championships, onboard a Platú 25.

Q: Is the Copa del Rey popular in Japan?

A: Of course it is, it's a great regatta, and people know it, specially sailors, though the football Copa del Rey is more popular (laughs).

Q: What brought Yasha's boat owner to the Copa del Rey?

A: This is his second participation in the regatta, and he's looking forward to improving his performance racing among first level sailors. Tha's why he's here, since the level of this regatta is very high, and of course much higher than in Japan. He wants to become a great helmsman, and that's why he's here, and next month he'll take part in the Swan 45 worlds.

Q: In which position did he finish last year?

A: ....not good and not bad ( smile)

Q: In which classes do you sail Japan?

A: I usually do match racing, with J24, Melges 32, and last month I've been match racing in the USA.

Q: As far as I know, your boat owner wants to bring young sailors from Japan to Europe so that they can improve sailing on his boat.

A: Yes, he asked me to come and sail onboard Yasha, a great opportunity. He wants to build up a first level crew for his boat, and that's why he invites sailors, me in this case, to come here and sail with the best sailors; I think he's also happy to have a fellow countryman onboard.

Q: Which are your main rivals in the class?

A: I would say Charisma is very popular and respected in Japan, and so is TALJ .

Q: How big is the Swan fleet in Japan?

A: Well, not that big, actually Yasha is the only unit, so you can't really say there is a big fleet, can you? Japanese like small boats, till 30 feet long.

Q: Where in Japan do you usually sail?

A: In Hayama, close to Tokyo. Unfortunately we don't have the conditions you find here, lighter wind, sometimes it can pick up, and it can also get very grey....specially during the rainy season in Japan, in June. Conditions are pretty unstable.

Q: This is the first time you sail with this crew, is there a good understanding?

A: Yes, we do get on very well, at least so far (laughs)