Farewell to a friend

On sept. 5th, a long and nasty illness took away our beloved friend Joao Baptista Pires Dos Santos, portuguese coach that will be remembered for his extensive and fruitful sporting career. He was the mind and the heart beneath the legendary 6 Days of Serpa, but he organized many other tournaments of national and continental level for several sports as well.

All of those who had the fortune of knowing him personally, will always be grateful for all he gave for our sport.

Joao Santos: Master Coach (1958-2007)

Achievements

● Head Coach Club Patinatge Cardedeu (2003-2007)
● President Torneo Internacional 6 dias Serpa-Alentejo Serpa (Portugal / 1999-2002 )
● President Regional Comitee Speedskating - Alentejo (Portugal / 1999-2002)
● Best Sporting Official 2002 voted by Asociacion de Prensa Castro Verde (Portugal)
● Vice-President Clube de Patinaje de Serpa (1983-2002)
● Vice-President Federacion de Patinaje de Alentejo (Portugal) (1999-2002)
● Head Coach Portuguese Nacional Team (1987-1989)
● Coach for several clubs (1983-2003)

Professional highlights

- CLUB DE PATINAJE DE VELOCIDAD CONSELHO DESPORTIVO MUNICIPAL
Champions, Campeonatos de Alentejo 1984 -1988
1988 y 1989 – Champions, Liga Nacional de la Amistad
National Champions Indoor, track & road
1989 – Champions, Liga Nacional de la Amistad
- PORTUGUESE NATIONAL TEAM
1989 - Portugal, 5º place European Championships
- CLUB DE PATINAJE DE VELOCIDAD CONSELHO DESPORTIVO MUNICIPAL
1990 – Champions, Liga Nacional de la Amistad
National Champions Indoor, track & road
- CLUB PATINAJE DE SERPA
1994-1997 - National Champions Indoor
National Champion, track– Beginners to Cadets
National Champions road – Beginners to Cadets
- SELECCION DE ALENTEJO
1998 - Champions de Torneo Nacional de Asociaciones de patinaje de Velocidad
- CLUB PATINAJE DE SERPA
1998-2002 – National Champions track – Beginners to Juniors
National Champions road – Beginners to Juniors

The speedskating world has lost one of its most valuable elements, an irreplaceable person that brought to the highest level so many athletes and gave us one of the most widely praised skating tournaments the world has ever seen.

Goodbye, and thanks for everything, Joao...
We'll miss you :(