As you’ve already learned, we are a team with diverse passions. Today, two of our colleagues, teammates at work and on the sea, talk about the challenges of sailing when your hobby is sailing.
The Crew: more important than the boat itself
Dan Săndulescu has been with Connections since 2016, and when he’s not managing contracts and accounts, he analyzes international tenders, searching for new project opportunities.
His passion for sailing was discovered recently, just last year, when he was invited to participate in the Corporate Regatta with the Connections team, marking his first experience navigating the sea using sails.
As Dan is someone who loves the sea and already practices several water sports, sailing felt natural to him and immediately captivated him. He started researching and deepening his knowledge of this sport through courses and practice.
“I was fortunate to be part of two extraordinary crews: the one made up of my Connections colleagues, with whom we won the 2024 Corporate Regatta, and the crew I competed with in sports competitions, where we placed 2nd in the Romanian Cup and won the National ORC Championship, Class A2, all with the same beautiful yacht, Nitro,” Dan recounts.
Revelations on the boat
“I realized the importance of the crew, which is even more crucial than the boat itself when it comes to sailing. Every member needs to be 100% dedicated and involved, not just to fulfill their tasks, but also because they are directly responsible for the other crew members,” says Dan.
Is all this effort worth it?
“All the efforts fade away in the face of the joys and satisfactions you experience when you’ve raised the anchor, sailed out to sea, and cut through the waves, one after another, with the yacht straining against the power of the wind,” he believes.
Sailing – THAT experience
Claudiu Stăniloiu has been in HR for 18 years, and his connection with people fuels his energy and desire to innovate. He is constantly looking for new methods and results, and that’s how his relationship with sailing began (and continues).
After stories and jokes with friends, his official debut in this sport happened in 2023, when he said: “Let’s go to a Regatta. It’s great, it’s in a team, it’s the sea, and there’s the peace it offers,” he recalls.
How was it? “It was THAT wow experience that makes you want to do it again and strive for more. It came with a 4th place finish – disappointing at the moment because you missed the podium by a hair, but strong enough to motivate you to be more focused in the next race, to learn more theory, and to put more into practice,” Claudiu shares.
Sailing Challenges: what’s it like on the boat?
“Being on a boat is like being in a fast-food restaurant. You need to learn and be willing to take on any role the team covers. The first role I took on? I was the mastman (the guy who raises and lowers the sails). Secondary role? I was also the boat’s photographer (because you only raise and lower the sails once 😊),” says Claudiu.
Over time, he took on other roles and gained more experiences, which undoubtedly meant progress and personal growth, as he decided to stick with it. In 2023, he completed his boat license courses (Categories C, D, and S), and in 2024, together with his friends and colleagues, he achieved the big goal: 1st place at the Corporate Regatta.
“Of course, everything is full of challenges, and the most significant ones, which are beyond your control, are the changing weather and the sea. One moment it’s sunny, and the sea is calm, and in the next hour, the wind can pick up, and strong waves can appear. And as we say in Romania, ‘it can give you a bit of a panic,’ but we’ve already set the next goal: participating in the 2025 Bosphorus Cup (Turkey),” he reveals.
Why sailing?
Because it relaxes me, says Claudiu, and the visual landscapes you encounter have their charm. But also because you need energy (like in any sport), you need to innovate (the sea is unpredictable), you need to accumulate experience, and you have to be as efficient as possible to make it to the podium, says Claudiu. “It’s not a hobby you dedicate time to every day. But it’s a hobby where, if you want to perform, you have to ‘steal the craft.’ And yes, I have people to learn from and ask for advice.”
Advice from Claudiu & Dan for future sailors
CLAUDIU
“Don’t say no before trying something. Learn, experiment, and stick with what works and makes you feel fulfilled.”
DAN
“If you love the sea and want to master the wind, try sailing—you’ll be fully satisfied.”