MONACO WINTER SERIES CHAMPION INTERVIEW

Lera Kovalenko and Team Art Tube – A Great Start To a New Hobby

For some of us, sailing is something that we learn at a young age with parents and relatives, or we catch the bug for racing in our early teens. For others, the fantastic sport is gifted to us later in life. Lera Kovalenko, female Russian J/70 sailor first started sailing just 3 years ago, and since has been taking the European J/70 fleet by storm, with her team onboard Art Tube. The team took the lead in the Monaco Sports Boat series from the very first event and maintained their winning streak through the end of the series. Art Tube dominated the overall standings across the board, with an outstanding and impressive run on the scoreboard after claiming 15 bullets across the three event series!

We spoke to Lera after the regatta to get the full scoop on how she got started racing sailboats and what contributed to her amazing success this year at the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series.

How long have you been sailing for and what got you into sailing?

I started sailing 3 years ago and have been sailing with my team for the past 2 years ago when we started racing as Art Tube team.

What has been the key to your successes so far?

My team is the main key success factor. It’s a great fortune for me to race with professionals who have a pool of experience, high self-discipline, high demand on me and on each other and being results oriented.

What has been your favourite event this season?

I really enjoyed the Italian J/70 series, but I also liked racing in England and I would like to return there again.

Why did you choose to go with North Sails?

We chose to use North Sails because all the leaders in the class race with North and we are definitely pleased with the choice!

What’s your most helpful tip for new sailors hoping to climb to the top?

Make sure you train at every opportunity!

Giulio Desiderato, North Sails J/70 expert commented on Lera’s performance over the winter season:

“I met Lera two winters ago in Monaco, sailing with the J/70 and from the beginning the feeling was that she was really determined to improve day by day and regatta by regatta. During the last Winter Series in Monaco I heard that she’s started sailing just three years ago. I was really surprised, Art Tube won all the event sailed this winter in Monaco! I asked her what is the key of all this victories and I had the clear perception that the team work the method and determination to training hard are the keys to achieve good results. I wish to Lera and all her team the best!”

Art Tube is powered by a full North Sails inventory consisting of the XCS-1 Mainsail, J-6 Jib and AP-1 Spinnaker. If you are interested in any North Sails J/70 products visit the class page to find your local class expert.