A CHANGE IN THE GUARD

Why 2 + 2 = 1 for Delphine Cousin

Delphine Cousin (JP / NeilPryde) had already tasted success as a youth having being crowned the PWA Youth World Champion in 2012, but 2013 will prove to be a year the twenty-two year old will never forget, after she far surpassed her ambitions of achieving a place on the overall podium, by clinching her maiden PWA Slalom World Championship title. The Frenchwoman saw off the likes of fellow compatriot, and at the time, reigning world champion Valerie Ghibaudo (Tabou / Gaastra / Mystic) as well as Swiss gem Karin Jaggi (Patrik / Severne) as her greater consistency saw her rise to the top of the rankings thanks to consecutive second place finishes in South Korea and Turkey respectively. Cousin displayed perfect timed starts with a blistering top speed to write herself into the windsurfing record books, will Cousin now be the woman to beat over the years to come? After claiming her first PWA world title we caught up with Delphine, you can read the interview below: 

PWA: Hi Delphine, firstly congratulations on your first ever PWA world championship title, what were your expectations at the start of the season?

DC: “Thank you! Last year, I finished 4th very close to the podium with Lena Erdil (Patrik / Loft Sails / Mystic / AL360). This year my goal was to be on the podium. The World title was one of my expectations but I didn't think it would be for this season!”

PWA: Has the news settled in now that you are the world champion and how are you feeling?

DC: “I am supper happy! It's a good surprise for me and I don't realize it!”

PWA: Have you done anything special to celebrate, or do you have anything special planned?

DC: “For the moment I didn't have the time but for sure I will make a big party to celebrate with all my friends very soon!”

PWA: You also won the GPS speed challenge in Alacati, what was your maximum speed?  

DC: “I won the GPS speed challenge with a maximum speed of 49km/h I think. We didn't have a lot of wind during the week so I think it's a good speed with my big gear.”

PWA: Do you speed sail? If not, is it something you might consider for the future? 

DC: “I have never done speed sailing for the moment. I think it's completely different compared to slalom and it's asking a lot of works on the gear and there is a lot of race tactic. Maybe one day I would try speed but I am not attracted by this discipline.” 

PWA: Which fins are you using at the moment?

DC: “I use many different fins. I don't have a special brand. I try a lot of things and after I choose what seems to be the best for each board/sails.”

PWA: What are your favourite slalom conditions?

DC: “I like all conditions of wind. Strong wind is super exciting but I think I perform better in light wind because I train the most in light breezes.”

PWA: Favourite equipment setup?

DC: “I love when the conditions permit to use my Neilpryde Evo V 6.4m on my medium board JP Australia 66.”

PWA: Favourite food and drink?

DC: “I love sushi and tomato juice.”

PWA: Favourite place to sail?

DC: “My home spot in France, Carnac is one of the best of the world. But I love travelling all around the world and discover new spots like big lagoons in Tahiti or Mauritius Island.”

PWA: What do you do when you aren’t windsurfing?

DC: “I must go to school because I am still studying. In my free time I love shopping, spending time with my friends and all others sports in general!”

PWA: How did you prepare for this season? And do you already have plans for your training during the off season?

DC: “I was really well prepared! I was in St Barth for one month this winter and I also gone went to Tarifa too. Between Korea and Costa Brava I was been invited to two promotional events which took place in Tahiti and Mauritius Island. I had perfect conditions for training! For next year, I think my training will be approximatively the same. I didn't have the time to think about it properly for the moment.”

PWA: Lastly, is all your training purely on the water, windsurfing or do you also train off the water?

DC: “During the off season I do a lot of physical preparation off the water. I think the most important thing is to go on the water to progress more but not just in slalom.”

PWA: Thanks Delphine and congratulations again on your first world title, we look forward to seeing you defending your crown on the tour in 2013.