Juan Merediz talks about why he decided to take on the Global Solo Challenge
by Juan Carlos Coco 14 Jan 2023 15:42 GMT
Juan Merediz © Juan Merediz
Juan is a sailor who as a child dreamt of the sea and of discovering what was beyond the horizon.
We interview Juan Merediz, Spanish participant in the Global Solo Challenge. An experienced navigator who is now preparing for the challenge of sailing beyond the horizon and returning to the starting point, A Coruna, after having circumnavigated the globe. From Valencia he takes on this new project filled with enthusiasm and prepared to squeeze everything he can out of his Pogo 40S with the firm intention of winning the first edition of the GSC.
Good evening Juan, how would you explain who Juan Merediz is to someone who doesn't know you and doesn't sail?
A sailor. A sailor who has been dreaming of sailing around the world since he was a boy. I saw the sea from my window in Gijón and since I was young I have always wanted to find out what is beyond the horizon, and this has always been my motivation.
My passion for the sea got me involved in sailing, first Optimists and Snipes, then came my first solo transfer: at the time French cruising boats were sold in Asturias and I offered to transfer them, because all I wanted was to be at sea.
As you told us in your previous interview, you have taken part in important ocean races, how were those first experiences?
At the age of 15, inspired by a magazine found by chance, I prepared my first presentation to find sponsors and participate in the Mini Transat, which took me 7 years. When I set my mind on something there is no going back!
Of all the regattas I have taken part in, some really stand out, like the Mini Transat in 95 or the Barcelona World Race in 2010; however, others that may have been less prominent were absolutely incredible, like the Transgascogne, in which I sailed marvellously having really very little experience, or the Figaro, my greatest regatta.
My memories of my first sailing experiences come with memories of the first mistakes I made and the lessons I learned. What do you remember of your first experiences?
I remember the first time a sailed single-handed: a First 25, with no autopilot, 240 miles, and I remember all my errors, the first as soon as I'd set off. Today I still make mistakes, and I love it. I love studying them, assessing them, and learning, constantly learning. Nothing can teach you like the sea; sailing, forgetting about the titles and sailing. The next mile is the most difficult, always the next one, so what you have to do is prepare for the next mile and take on the one after that. Sailing with different companions is also very useful; each one of them will teach you something different.
Sailing in Spain seems to be quite difficult. What happened with the Vendée Globe in 2012?
After the Figaro I got into advanced negotiations with the sponsors to take part in the BOC Challenge; however, for institutional reasons and due to political changes in the end nothing happened. I'd always dreamt of the Vendée, and after the BWR in 2010 I got an opportunity with a sponsor; there was a story to tell, it made sense, but there were no tax relief and no company stepped in, which is a problem we have in Spain, we stop telling the story, and I missed that opportunity. It was hard at the time because I honestly thought I had a good chance.
One of the problems we have in Spain is that when you knock at their door, most companies don't even take the time to listen to what you have to say, something that doesn't happen in other countries, like France for example. They don't appreciate the platform that sponsoring a sailing project can offer.
What led you to the GSC?
I found out about this regatta while working as a captain. Initially, I didn't quite get it, but then I fell in love with the idea and we gave it everything. I couldn't get a boat, but despite this, thanks to my friends, family, and the previous owner we put everything, absolutely everything, into this project.
In Spain people automatically assume that a boat is for rich people, the GSC is an opportunity to change this idea; as the regatta starts in A Coruna, there should be lots of Spanish skippers taking part, but no, there are only two; this regatta seems to try to democratise the field. We need to plant the seed and set precedents, this is another reason why this project is so important; loads of people in Spain are mad about the sea and my project can help the future of the next generation of sailors.
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