Know the sailors: Arnis Baltins

Arnis Baltins, born Washington DC, USA. Highest SSL Ranking: 6

Arnis Baltins will be crew for Augie Diaz, at the SSL Finals in Nassau. This will be the third occasion that the team from the USA have made the finals. Augie Diaz & Arnis Baltins were 2013 Western Hemisphere Champions. Away from the Star Class, Arnis competes in big boat offshore events including the Transpac. Arnis graduated from St.Mary’s College of Maryland and has over 20 years of software development experience and speaks Latvian and German.

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SSL: If you weren’t a sportsperson, what would you be?

AB: I don’t consider myself as a sportsperson per se. My life is multi-faceted, sailing is but one of those facets.

SSL: What is the greatest sacrifice you have had to make in order to achieve success?

AB: In 2000, I made the choice to advance my professional career vs. my sailing – I went five years without so much as looking at a sailboat and took another 5 years to get back to the level I was operating before my hiatus. While I am quite sure I missed out on some amazing sailing experiences in that time (e.g. Olympic and America’s Cup campaigns), I am now able to enjoy those types of sailing experiences on my own terms – for fun!

SSL: What animal fascinates you and why?

AB: The Honey Badger. King cobras, a full hive of bees, jackals; the Honey Badger just doesn’t care.

SSL: What kind of a person makes you angry?

AB: Anger is a wasted emotion which gives another power over you. Remind yourself of this and let your anger go.

SSL: What kind of person makes you happy?

AB: A person with a positive attitude, sense of humour, and who does not take themselves too seriously.

SSL: What was is your favourite memory from another sport?

AB: The comradery between opposing teams after rugby matches. One of the few sports where shaking hands and saying “good game” is a genuine exchange. Competitors on the field: comrades off.

SSL: What book inspires you and why?

AB: The Velveteen Rabbit: what makes one Real.

“It doesn’t happen all at once,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.” Margery Williams

SSL: If you could invite people through history for dinner, who would you choose?

AB: Paired as dining companions:

Archimedes & Einstein

Genghis Khan & Moses

Alexander the Great & George Washington

SSL: How many Gold Medals or World Championships is ‘enough’?

AB: Can you have too many?

SSL: A child asks you if Santa Claus is real, what do you say?

AB: Does he leave you presents under the tree? Then he is as real as he needs to be.

SSL: If you could have a super hero special power what would it be?

AB: Flight. Airline tickets are expensive. 

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1-6 December 2015 – The third edition of the SSL Finals will take place in Nassau, Bahamas

All SSL events use a qualifying competition followed by a knock-out system. Teams take part in the qualifying rounds, which is a series of races over three days. The top 11 teams progress to the knock-out stage, which has four stages. In one-off races teams are eliminated, until just four teams remain to contest the final. The winner takes home a big slice of the $200,000 Prize Purse.

Watch all the action live from the Star Sailors League Final. With expert commentary from special studio guests. On the water, the latest in hi-tech camera technology, as well as Virtual Eye 3D Graphics, will provide thrilling viewing. Armchair sailors can also join the race with Virtual Regatta.