Jose Cusí : Boat owner of Bribón

In 2011 the Bribón saga will come to an end, for the white TP52 currently campaigned by José Cusí will be the last of a series of fifteen boats which have taken part in the most important regattas of the Mediterranean. Her name, though, will not disappear from the seas: the “small” Bribón -in the words of José Cusí-, a Melges 32 also taking part in the 30th Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre, takes over.

Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre – What are your feelings in regards to this 30th Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre?José Cusí – This is undoubtedly a very special edition, for it is the last in which we will be taking part with the big boat. We want to offer it to our King who has not been able to participate for the first time in years. He`s dying to know the result. He follows the race from Marivent with his binoculars and we always stay in touch.

CR – Why is the Bribón project coming to an end?
JC – We are already old, and it`s time for the younger generations to take over, that`s why the “small” Bribón was born, for them to continue with the saga.

CR – How does it feel being the driving force behind a project as charismatic as this?
JC – I`m obviously proud of it, but the truth is that I`ve had great sailors and great skippers too, and always felt supported by the mass media, which have definitely helped us a lot.

CR – What`s the profile of Bribón`s crew?
JC – Recruiting the right people was probably the toughest task throughout these forty years; the crew members of Bribón must be, first of all, good sailors, trustworthy, loyal, discrete, and their private live must also be exemplary. I never had a problem with any of them, and that`s why I`m so proud of them.

CR – Which was your most moving moment in the Copa del Rey?
JC – Moving...the fist time we won; and this year, if we manage to take it home, it will also be, that`s fore sure.

CR – What about the most difficult one?
JC – All the editions of the Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre were tough from a sports point of view, you always have to struggle, it`s not easy to win.

CR – What do you remember from the first Copa del Rey?
JC – It always had the same philosophy, very open to everybody, and very professional and familiar at the same time. I think that was the key of the success of the Real Club Náutico de Palma, keeping that profile. This is a very nice regatta where professionals, amateurs and families race along in a very sporty atmosphere on the pontoons; for me it`s definitely the best regatta of the Mediterranean.

CR – Are you ready to get thrown in the water?
JC - I`ll have to get along with it!...I don`t think they will throw the king in the water though...It`s already happened a couple of times, but I don`t think it will happen again this time...We could drown!