Diego Fructuoso started sailing in the Mar Menor in Murcia, Spain, when he was five years old. He began sailing in multiple classes, including Optimist, Europe, and Laser. Diego was a large kid, so he had to change classes quickly while growing up until he was introduced to the Finn Class in 1999. In 2001, the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation (RFEV) took notice of Diego and he started sailing in the Star Class with José María Van der Ploeg and the Spanish Olympic Team. After sailing with José María, Diego sailed with the Finn Olympic Team until 2009, when he then decided to leave Olympic sailing. In his time on the team, Diego won several Spanish Championships and Spanish Cups and was runner-up in the European Championship, and a World Ranking Leader.
And while Diego left Olympic sailing as a sailor, he turned his attention to coaching, something he had always been interested in since he was young. He first coached at his local club, qualifying several sailors in the European and World Championships and garnering good results in team racing. After the 2013 Around-the-World race, Diego was able to fulfill his dream of becoming an Olympics coach. He has worked with Olympic medalists Rafa Trujillo, Martine Grael, Kahena Kunze, and federations from countries such as Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Mexico, and Brazil. In 2019, Diego took up the challenge of qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics as a member of the Spanish Finn Class, which he achieved in Porto in 2021. He and his team, with Joan Cardona, won the bronze medal.
Sailing offshore and in big boats was a new discovery for Diego and where he is most focused now. He has participated in the Volvo Ocean Race aboard Team Telefónica, and in regattas such as the Copa del Rey and Maxis circuit, and crossed the Atlantic six times.