Racing at home is supposed to feel like an advantage. For Diego Botín, it just adds another layer of pressure to an already tightening championship fight.
Los Gallos arrive at the Spain Sail Grand Prix sitting second in the Rolex SailGP Championship, just 14 points off the Bonds Flying Roos at the top. Add in the fact this is their first time racing in front of a home crowd in Valencia, and the stakes only sharpen.
Botín isn't looking to overhaul the approach that's got them here.
"It's a very special feeling," Botín said. "We have the chance to race at home once a year, and for us and our team it's an incredible boost.
"SailGP is an international competition that takes us to iconic cities around the world, but nothing beats racing at home with all the support of the fans. We're really looking forward to this week."
Three events remain after Valencia, and the championship is tightening. Botín knows consistency can vanish in a single bad afternoon on the water.
"All the events, from the first one, have been really important," he said. "The level is very high and the season is very close. After one bad day, you can be close to your rivals and the standings can change.
"We have to keep doing what we've been doing, but with extra energy because we're at home. The level is incredibly even and you can have a crazy Final where everything comes down to the last race."
Strategist Nicole van der Velden takes a more measured view of the occasion. Racing at home is one thing, she says, but the job doesn't change.
"We always want to do the best we can at every event and, obviously, we want to win. That's why we're all here," she said.
"But ultimately, the first thing is to get those two places ahead of us and make the Final. Once we're in the Final, then it's all about going for the win."
Conditions could play their part too. Lighter, steadier winds are forecast for Valencia, and van der Velden reckons that could bunch the fleet together and turn small errors into costly ones.
"If we have less wind the difference between the boats might not be as big, so a small technical mistake can make a big difference," she said. "We're going to start strong and go for everything."
No room for sentiment, then, even with the crowd on side.
"We have a group with a lot of strong teams, especially in lighter winds," Botín said. "We cannot afford the smallest mistake. If we have a bad moment, it can cost us a place in the Final."
Survive the pressure, book a place in the Final, and turn home advantage into something that actually counts on the scoreboard. That's the job this weekend.
