Snipe 'Garrancho'



The snipe 'Garrancho' 9294 is a small 20th-century competition rowboat made of wood, which can also be rigged with a sail. From the historical point of view, she is one of the most important pieces on display at Barge Pavilion, because the 1953 Snipe World Championship, which began on 5 September 1953 in Monaco, was the first sailing competition in which Portugal was crowned champion. In this championship, the 'Garrancho 9294' was steered by António José Conde Martins and Fernando Lima Bello.

Keeping a steady performance throughout the five regattas, they ranked first in the final ranking, becoming world champions in their class and standing out among the fifteen teams from different nations that participated in the competition. In Portugal, their merit was widely recognised by the press, civil society and the highest authorities, and they were even awarded the Medal of Sporting Merit by the then President of the Portuguese Republic at the time, General Craveiro Lopes.

The World Champion Snipe 'Garrancho' was donated by the Portuguese Sailing Federation, in 1999, following a protocol between the Museum and the Federation, and has been on display at Barge Pavilion ever since.