When it comes to success in sailing’s highest profile competitions for Team Telefónica’s Jordi Calafat, it’s a case of been there, done that, lifted the trophy.
"A central member of Team Telefónica, a crew brimming with champion sailors, Calafat is revered by his team mates both on and off the water"
At 43 Calafat is one of Spain’s most successful sailors with an Olympic gold medal, three world championship titles and an America’s Cup victory to his name.
It would seem whatever Calafat turns his hand to he finds success – and if Team Telefónica are at the top of the podium when the Volvo Ocean Race ends in Galway in July, he will be the only person ever to have won Olympic gold, an America’s Cup and the Volvo Ocean Race.
A central member of Team Telefónica, a crew brimming with champion sailors, Calafat is revered by his team mates both on and off the water.
Regarded as one of the best helmsmen in the Volvo Ocean Race, he is also a sails expert, and responsible for co-ordinating the design, construction and upkeep of Telefónica’s round the world sail wardrobe.
“Probably a large proportion of success in this race is down to sails. It’s a very difficult job and Jordi has done a world-class job at getting the sails prepared for this race,” said Telefónica’s veteran navigator Andrew Cape.
“Once the sails are on the boat we’ve got to sail the boat, and you can’t get better than Jordi,” Cape said, adding: “World champion, gold medallist, Cup winner – he’s the best."
Earlier this week when Telefónica damaged their vital code zero headsail within a few hours of the start of Leg 3 Stage 2 it was Calafat who stepped up to lead the repair process which got his team back to full speed within 24 hours.
Calafat won the Optimist World Championship by the time he was 15 and nine years later he took gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics in the 470 class together with Kiko Sánchez.
Two world championship wins in 470s followed, and in 2007 he was part of the Swiss team Alinghi as they won the America’s Cup.
“He was crucial with Telefónica Blue and he’s even more so now,” said Telefónica trimmer Xabi Fernández, who along with skipper Iker Martínez was named 2010 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year in recognition of their success in the sport.
“He is in charge of the sail program, which is obviously the engine of this boat. Also, he is one of the helmsman and trimmers on board.
“He is a very complete guy, also a sail maker, he fixes sails when they´re broken. It’s really good to have him on board.”
Antonio Cuervas-Mons, one of Telefónica’s three sailors under 30, summed up Calafat’s reputation succinctly: “He’s a legend in Spanish sailing,” he said.