Victor Fernandez is one of windsurfing’s good guys. His third PWA wave world title may have come in strange circumstances in 2018, but it was thoroughly deserved nonetheless. Known for his unassuming demeanour on land, but a complete competitor on the water, his windsurfing skills are testament to both a unique talent and a relentless work ethic. Victor normally lets his sailing do the talking, but we managed to get an insight into his life with these candid words from the man himself.
LUCKY THREE
My third world title was kind of unexpected last year. I started the year in a poor position compared to my normal results. In the previous eleven years I have been first or second in Gran Canaria but last season I finished in fourth. Two weeks before the event I had some lower back pain so I could not sail much. I made it to third in the single, but then ended up fourth in the double after Ricardo sailed an amazing heat against me. I was relaxed and comfortable in Tenerife and managed to take the victory there against Jaeger Stone in the final. So everything boiled down to Sylt, which turned out a bit crazy.
I was on the beach after my heat with Traversa and if I won that heat I would be world champion. I did not want to celebrate until it was official, then the judges tower gave me the thumbs up. So all the cameras were around me while I celebrated. Five minutes later the results changed on the live stream. There had been an error or something and Traversa went through to face Campello in the final. If Ricardo would win then he would be world champion and he had two attempts to beat Traversa. I went to the judges tower and was told there was a problem with the system and sorry but you are not world champion. I could not do anything about it. My emotions were all over the place after celebrating and then the disappointment. At least I was guaranteed second. I just went home and took a shower. I had to get away from it all. I didn’t want to watch how it panned out. I was cold and had sailed quite a few heats. My phone went after I came out of the shower and it was Klaas Voget telling me I had won. Traversa had beaten Ricardo two times to save my day. I knew Traversa in those conditions was dangerous, but to beat Campello twice was a tall order. It was special in the end to win my third title. After the first one, anything else is a bonus, especially as I am getting older and the competition is so tough.
Denne historien er fra Issue 389 - September 2019-utgaven av Windsurf.
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Denne historien er fra Issue 389 - September 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!
