Olympic profile: Monica Azon

Spanish Yngling sailor and former World Champion

After a stint in the 470 during the 1990s, Monica Azon returned to Olympic sailing in the Yngling in 2001. Throughout 2002 her team was the class act on the circuit winning the World championships that year, but coming a disappointing 22nd on home territory at last year's World Championship.

Name: Monica Azon Canalda (above right)

Where and when were you born? Barcelona 19-10-1972

Marital status? Single

What age did you start sailing and what was your first regatta win? Started at 10. First regatta win at 11 on a Optimist Club Event

What's your biggest event or championship win? Yngling World Championship (Brunnen 2002)

Any other notable regattas you'd like to mention? 5th Womens 420 World Championship

Where did you grow up? Masnou, 15 km north to Barcelona

If you're not sailing what job would you do? Coaching

What other sports do you do outside sailing? Biking and squash

Any other hobbies or interests? Sports in general and travelling

Favourite method of relaxing? Walking with my two pets, having a nice dinner with my friends or sleeping

Favourite bar or pub? Café de l´Academia

What inspired you to take up sailing? The feeling of freedom and the contact with the wind

Which class did you first race in? Optimist

How did you buy your first boat? Second hand Optimist bought by my parents

Have you ever used a coach and who were they? Meritxell Cornudella, Joan Gelpi, Enrique Rojas, and my actual coach Carlos Llamas

What's your most memorable moment in sailing? Crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a 41 ft yacht

Outside the Olympics, what's your biggest remaining goal in sailing? Having a big sailing school and teaching people the secrets of the sailing

How much time do you spend on the water each week? All the time our coach plans to sail a week.

Do you have a sponsor and if so, who? Ignacio de Ros, Maritime Advocates

Who are your sailing heroes and why? Theresa Zabell because she is the strongest minded sailor I've ever meet

What is the best excuse you've ever made for a poor performance in a race? Tired of too much sailing

What's your favourite sailing venue and why? Palma de Mallorca, It's great

What's your greatest strength in sailing? Sea breeze

What's your greatest weakness in sailing? Shifty winds

What's the single most important piece of advice you could give to younger sailors? Enjoy sailing and never give up even when troubles are big. Flight to get your goal.