| Name |
Augie Diaz |
| Date of Birth |
19881 |
| Place of Birth |
Havana, CUB |
| Profession |
Medical Equipment Sales |
| Age started sailing |
9 |
| First boat sailed |
Optimist |
| Age started racing |
9 |
| First boat raced |
Optimist |
| What inspired you to take up sailing? |
My father, he is a very accomplished and enthusiastic sailor |
| How did you buy your first boat? |
My father bought it for me |
| Which was your first sailing club? |
Coconut Grove Sailing Club |
| First Event competed in and Year |
Clearwater Optimist Pram Regatta in 1963 |
| First Event won and Year |
Probably the Florida State Snipe Junior Championships in 1968 |
| Principle achievements |
I have three children all college graduates an on 'their way' and together with my brother and my cousin, I lead a successful company in the medical equipment industry. |
| Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date |
Snipe World Championship - 2003 |
| Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date |
IYRU Single-Handed Dinghy World Youth Champion 1973 |
| Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date |
Twice Snipe Western Hemisphere Champion 1972 and 2002 |
| Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date |
1st in FD Kieler Woche 1979 |
| Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date |
4th Star World Championship 1985 |
| Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date |
5 time Snipe National Champion 1976-2002 |
| Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date |
3 time collegiate All-American |
| What are your future sailing aspirations? |
I will continue to compete in the Snipe, Star and Laser and try to finish as high as possible in future Snipe, Star and Laser Master World Championships |
| Briefly state what sailing means to you |
Except for a ten-year period between 1986 and 1996 when my kids were of the age that I was supporting their sports activities, I have basically been sailing all of my life since I was nine. So, I just simply love racing sailboatas and competing. And sailing is the best sport for me because I love being deep in a large fleet and getting past that one more boat before the finish line as much as winning the race. I also love the camaraderie that we have in our sport; the fact that we can compete intensely and right after the race, we can say 'good race' and enjoy a prize giving party with our competitors at the end of the regatta. |
| Who has had the greatest impact or inspiration in your sailing career and why? |
My father Gonzalo; he has been a wonderful example and inspiration for me and has shown me how to win fair and square. |
| What other sports do you participate in outside of sailing? |
I have not had time lately because when I am not working, I am sailing, but a few years ago I was playing in adult basketball and baseball leagues |
| Who do you consider to be the greatest sailor in the World and why? |
I would have to say Paul Elvström because of his versatility and ability to do well in the different classes. |
| Briefly state what being nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award 2003 means to you |
It is an incredible honour. I am not sure I am deserving, but I am very appreciative of being nominated. |
| if voted as the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2003, briefly state what this will mean to you |
It will be the highest honour that I could receive and one that I would appreciate for the rest of my life. It would be an honour that \I would share with so many people: my father and mother, my brother, Jon Rogers, Mark Strube and others. |
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The past twelve months have seen one of the most successful series of events for Augie Diaz, with his pinnacle achievements being the Gold Medals at the Snipe Masters World Championship last year and the Snipe World Championship in August 2003.
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