Know the Sailors: Diego Negri
Diego Negri, Sestri Levante, Italy. Highest SSL Ranking: 1
Diego has competed at three Olympic Games, two in the Laser and 2008 in the Star. At the Star World Championship, Diego took his first Silver Star, as runner up in 2008 and was runner up again in 2014, in Argentina this year, Diego took Bronze with Sergio Lambertenghi. Diego has been Star European Champion in 2011and 2013 but 
the Star World Championship has still eluded him. Away from the Star Class, Diego has comepted in the Melges 32 and also the Maxi 72 Class inshore and offshore. Diego Negri & Sergio Lambertenghi will be competing for the third time at the SSL Finals in Nassau, there best results was fourth in 2013.
SSL: If you weren’t a sportsperson, what would you be?
DN: Sono stato impegnato nello sport fin da bambino e grazie ai risultati raggiunti ho avuto la possibilità di proseguire in una lunga carriera senza valutare alternative. Sono comunque laureato in economia e commercio e forse sarebbe stato interessante intraprendere una carriera legata ai miei studi.
I have been involved in the sport since childhood and thanks to the results achieved I have had the opportunity to continue in a long career without considering alternatives. On the other hand I am graduate in economics and trade and perhaps it would have been interesting to pursue a career related to my studies.
SSL: What is the greatest sacrifice you have had to make in order to achieve success?
DN: I sacrifici sono stati quoditiani ma si dimenticano in fretta una volta che si sono raggiunti almeno parzialmente I risultati per i quali ci si è impegnati.
The sacrifices are daily but are quickly forgotten once you have achieved, at least in part, the results for which you were working hard.
SSL: What animal fascinates you?
DN: I gatti sono affettuosi ma allo stesso tempo molto indipendenti.
Cats are affectionate but also very independent.
SSL: What kind of a person makes you angry?
DN: Le persone non sincere
Insincere people.
SSL: What kind of person makes you happy?
DN: Le persone che sono soddisfatte della propria vita spesso trasmettono una serenità contagiosa.
People who are satisfied with their lives often transmit a contagious serenity.
SSL: What was is your favourite memory from another sport?
Fino ai 14 anni sono stato uno sciatore di buon livello agonistico. Le emozioni che si provano durante una discesa libera a più di 100 km/h oppure al cancelletto della seconda prova di uno slalom speciale sono incredibili.
Up to 14 years old I was a skier at a good competitive level. The emotions you feel during a downhill at over 100 km/h or at the start of the second race of a slalom are incredible.
SSL: What film inspires you?
DN: Un Mercoledì da Leoni per il senso di libertà e consapevolezza di quello che si è fatto
Big Wednesday for the sense of freedom and the awareness of what has been done.
SSL: Is there any specific technique you use when competing to help motivate yourself ?
DN: Le tecniche di visualizzazione e di training autogeno aiutano molto specie nei momenti di allenamento. In gara bisogna sempre mantenere il debito distacco dalle proprie emozioni e vivere gli appuntamenti importanti come un evento qualunque
Visualization techniques and biofeedback help a lot especially during training. In the race we must always keep the right detachment from emotions and live important appointments as an ordinary event.
SSL: If you could invite people through history for dinner, who would you choose?
DN: Mi piacerebbe trascorrere ancora una serata con Valentin Mankin che mi ha seguito per la gran parte della mia carriera e raccontargli quello che ho fatto in questi ultimi due anni da quando ci ha lasciati, sono sicuro che avrebbe ancora qualche ottimo consiglio da darmi.
I would like to spend one more evening with Valentin Mankin, who followed me for most of my career. I would tell him what I did over the past two years since he left us, I’m sure he would still have some good advice for me.
SSL: How many Gold Medals or World Championships is ‘enough’?
DN: …maybe the next one…….
SSL: A child asks you if Santa Claus is real, what do you say?
DN: Ovviamente esiste, una volta che sono andato a regatare al nord Europa mi è anche capitato di incontrarlo personalmente.
Of course Santa Claus exists, once I went to sail to northern Europe and I also had the chance to meet him personally.
SSL: If you could have a super hero special power what would it be?
DN: Credo che con l’ipocrisia diffusa nella società che ci circonda, l’uomo invisibile ne potrebbe sentirne delle belle.
I think that with the hypocrisy so common in the society around us, the invisible man could hear some interesting stories.
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.
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