interview with current slalom-super-x world champion Antoine albeau
Going into the Sylt event did you have a race strategy?
I had only one strategy, it was to finish in front of Finian, he was the only one able to get the world tittle if I had a bad result.
How did that strategy change after you DSQ in the first round?
Actually it worked because I had a DSQ at the first round but Finian was also out at the first round, so my DSQ wasn't too bad !!
How much can your change to Starboard be attributed to your winning streak?
For sure I had the best board to be competitive this year, the SB slalom range is good and I could choose the best board for every events I had to do.
Now you have secured 2 overall titles for this year Slalom 24 and Super-X , what next?
I still have an important ProAM national event to do end of October, after that I will go to Maui for boards and sails development for the next season and still one more PWA wave event to do middle of November.
20/7/06:
How many events did you do so far in 06, and how many heats all together?
I don't know how many heats but there were a lot, I did 12 events already this year and there are plenty more to come!
Which event do you like the most?
My favourite was Pozo in Gran Canaria because I? dominated the event, I was really fast and jibing really good.
Tell us something about the long distance race in France, Defi vind,, we hear there were? some 1400 people that have requested to race but only599 were allowed?
Yes only 600 people allowed and 150 were in waiting list, it was amazing, to see so many people in one spot to sailing together, you have to come to this event next year to see what it is like to sail with 599 other guys on the water !!!!
Where do you live when you're not on the move?
I leave in France on a small island on the atlantic ocean called the Ile de R?. It is very good and still very natural.
How did you get into windsurfing and how old were you?
I was 5 when my dad put me on a small board, my dad had a windsurf school at that time and we still have it today.
You are on a winning streak this year, and completely taking out your competitors in Supercross, Formula and Slalom 42.How have you been able to dial yourself and your equipment so well.?
first I am not really a beginner on the Tour (!) and I also have a good equipment between my Starboard boards, Neilpryde sails and Deboichet fins and this is what you need if you want to be in with a chance!
How do you see the future of the racing format and PWA competition? Any mix between Slalom 42 and Super cross?
I don't think the SX will be still on next year but I would like to see the Slalom move to a jump slalom sometimes, it would be incredible to see the speed we can have on slalom gear and, for example, on the last reach we could have an obstacle to jump before the finish !!!!! This would be fun.
Is it true that you also won the PWA freestyle overall one year?
Yes I finished 3rd in 2000 and first in 2001.
Rumors say that the reason why you race so well is that you have the worlds most beautiful caddy,, any comments?
Of course! It really helps me to have someone who is there all the time - I am lucky not to be doing all this alone - and she is definitely good looking !
waggy
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