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!
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.
Denne historien er fra Issue 383 - March 2019-utgaven av Windsurf.
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Denne historien er fra Issue 383 - March 2019-utgaven av Windsurf.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
New School
Slingshot’s windsurfing brand manager, Wyatt Miller, has noticed that kids are drawn to playing with wings and puts forward an interesting case as to why he thinks this could help entice them and others into windsurfing.
Changes
Wave sailor Flo Jung reflects on our changed world during his lockdown in Germany.
THE LAST WAVE
Lockdown stirred the creative juices of reader Björn Alfthan, who peers into the future to present a fictional story set in the wild waves of Norway, five years from now.
STILL IN THE GAME
After a horrific fracture in his leg from a crashed aerial in 2018, Alessio Stillrich is back! John Carter talks to the highflyer from Gran Canaria about his move to the Simmer team, recovering from injury and how he learned to windsurf in Gran Canaria!
MOVE ON UP - GET ON THE FRONT FOOT
This month we look at how our front foot weighting can affect and improve different aspects of our main windsurfing moves.
SOUTH' KIPA
Nik tweaking it over home waters.
A NEW NORMAL
On a trip to La Tranche-sur-Mer in France last year, Tris Best estimated over 80% of the windsurfers were foiling. This summer in Portland Harbour, foiling activity has increased dramatically too he reports. With the market offering plenty of choice to recreational windfoilers, our test team check out some of the latest foil offerings.
TACKING – THE SEQUEL
Having given you time to practice, Harty concludes his tacking series by critiquing various tacking options, including the carve tack, as well as offering solutions to common slip-ups.
‘NO VAPOUR TRAILS TO SCAR THE SKY' *
Realising we may be about to enter an extraordinary period in our lives, Harty decided to keep a windsurf-centric lockdown diary. Here are some of his choice excerpts.
REDEMPTION DAY!
Renowned for its windsurfing and variety of spots to sail at, Kimmerdige Bay is a wave sailing jewel on the south coast of England. Timo Mullen gives a guide to its shores while reflecting on why a recent session there was a reminder that there is no place like home!
