Size Matters

The size of successful slalom sailors in the modern era has moved away from the giants of old. Advances in equipment have levelled the playing field and podium places are no longer the preserve of the ‘big guns’. We asked a selection of the world’s best slalom racers for their thoughts on body weights and if size really does still matter!

- Andrea Ferin, Cedric Bordes, Antoine Albeau, Pierre Mortefon, Matteo Iachino, Arnon Dagan, Amado Vrieswijk, Maciek Rutkowski, Lena Erdil, Sarah Jackson & Jenna Gibson

ANTOINE ALBEAU 186 CM/ 100 KG

I don’t think I am the perfect racing size. I think it is better to be between 92 and 95 kg. I would also like to be 190 cm, a bit taller also, but what can you do? This is the size I am! You can have sailors that are not the perfect race build that can still be competitive but if you are the perfect size I think it is an advantage. Some of the smaller guys like Cedric still race very well, they have learned to adapt. You are like you are! If you want to compete on the PWA I would say you need 90 kg at least, but if you want to do RSX class for the Olympics you need to be 75 kg. On the tour you will find only people who are between 85 and 100 kg. I think I am the heaviest. I normally have to hold down bigger sails and bigger boards. I think I am a little bit too heavy for the light conditions, especially at the gybe. I am not the last one to get planing because I have a good pumping and gybe technique. Smaller lighter guys can race with us, but it would be tough for them. Sebastian Kornum did some really nice races in Korea, especially in the strong wind. He is super agile and strong also. If you have great skill at the start and you can gybe well then you may have a chance. The only problem would be in light winds, the first reach will be more difficult against taller guys with more leverage. You can’t hold a bigger sail and you will go slower.