Spaniard Antonio “Ñeti” Cuervas-Mons would not miss the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18  for anything. He is looking forwards to his fourth consecutive round the world race and the second as part of the Spanish MAPFRE team. The 35-year-old will be again the bowman of the crew skippered by the Basque sailor Xabi Fernández. With his all round fixing skills this well known ‘MacGyver’ returns to the ‘Volvo’

Sanxenxo (Spain), 2nd March, 2017

“This renowned ‘MacGyver, someone who can fix anything and everything on board, is back with us,” declares Xabi Fernández, speaking about Antonio “Ñeti” Cuervas-Mons.

For the second time in a row, Cuervas-Mons’ esponsibilities on board MAPFRE are not simply being the bowman “which includes being in charge of deck maneuvers and sail changes”, the skipper explains. He will also be the boat captain again, taking care of the maintenance of the systems and repairs on board, should something break during a leg.

Antonio “Ñeti” Cuervas-Mons. a self-made sailor

Antonio “Ñeti” Cuervas-Mons’ passion for the sea and sailing began when he was a child. He was inspired by his grandfather from whom he inherits his name: Don Antonio Cuervas-Mons, a merchant sailor who died when Ñeti was sailing in the Atlantic to Cape Town, South Africa, during the first leg of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12. After he learned of his death, he dedicated their leg victory to his Grandfather.

The Real Club Marítimo de Santander is where he grew and developed as a sailor. He started his ocean racing career with the Volvo Ocean Race back in 2008. He joined Telefónica Black -the VO70 skippered by Spaniard Fernando Echávarri- as one of the under-30 crew members. Since then, his racing career has risen step by step, becoming a sought after sailor on the most professional international circuits.

Ñeti is not only a ‘Volvo’ sailor. His latest career milestone includes smashing the legendary Rolex Sydney-Hobart record as one of the watch captains of the Perpetual LOYAL, a 100-foot (30.5 meter) Supermaxi that set a new mark of 1 day, 13 hours, 31 minutes and 2 seconds.

The Volvo Ocean Race holds something special for him. Many times we have heard more than one sailor or a shore crew member, finishing the race and saying ‘I will not do this again’, and afterwards returning regardless.

“Along with what the solo round the world sailors do, this is the pure essence of sailing- for many days on end, competing nonstop,  24 hours a day”, said Cuervas-Mons, just before he started his second participation back in October 2011.

One of the real stalwarts of MAPFRE

The MAPFRE skipper Xabi Fernández knows Ñeti very well. They were part of the same team in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. In the 2011 race, the first edition that set sail from Alicante, they were crew mates, as they were once more in the last edition 2014-15 aboard MAPFRE.

Fernández sums up, “Ñeti is the boat captain. He is in charge of all the spares and repairs on board. He started with us three editions ago when he was younger and has grown in ability and experience with each circumnavigation. Now he is a very accomplished all round sailor”, says the Basque.

“The aim now is to start preparing the boat, gathering a good crew and having the boat in the best conditions on October 22,” Ñeti points out.

He knows better than anyone that the Volvo Ocean Race is a very long and tricky race, with many, many difficult moments. He is aware that “every part of the course has its particular complications and, if you consider that all the boats are going to be very close, it becomes quite a stressful situation each and every”.

The majority of those who have sailed with him highlight his positive mind set, his hard work and hhis good sense of camaraderie. His favourite place is his hometown: Santander. His favourite meal, a good steak from Tudanca, always raises his spirit, as well as the delicious sobaos and anchovies from Cantabria. He is a lover of surfing and extremely competitive (even playing Parcheesi). Nobody doubts that one of his unfulfilled goals is to win the Volvo Ocean Race and he is not going to give up until he achieves it. Welcome back Ñeti!