Queen of South Korea

Sarah-Quita Offringa makes a winning return as the Aruban gem prepares to tackle all 3 disciplines in 2015

Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins) made the perfect start to 2015 in South Korea as she clinched the opening victory of the year, in the women’s slalom, by winning the fourth and final race to overhaul Lena Erdil (Patrik / Point-7 / Mystic / AL360). This will be the first year since 2011 that Offringa has been able to compete on the full PWA Slalom Women’s World Tour after finishing her studies, and based on her opening performance she could well be on course to add to her current solo slalom world crown, which was also won in 2011. The Aruban gem has an incredibly busy year ahead as she’ll be competing across all three disciplines - slalom, freestyle and wave. After making a winning start to the year we caught up with SQ for an interview, which you can read below:

PWA: Firstly, congrats on your victory in Korea! How was the event for you? 

SQ: “Korea was a really exciting event. Quite nerve-racking actually. Looking back now was a hell of a fight. We only raced the last 2 days. This raises the stakes a lot because you will only have one chance to do well. No room for mistakes.”

“Besides that Korea seems to be an obstacle course, with seaweed floating and gusts coming out of nowhere. Just very challenging conditions. So winning a race is that much more satisfying. We sailed mostly on the big kit, 7,8 & 110, for me. I was actually most comfortable on this setup.” 

“I love the fact that it was so close between the top 3 girls and that anyone could have got the event win. All the girls have stepped up their game, really stepped up their game. So this year promises to be really interesting at the next events. Stay tuned guys!”

PWA: When was the last time you competed in Korea? And how did you find it returning?

SQ: “I’ve competed in Korea twice. 2010& 2011. Finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively. Coming back after 4 years was quite special. More in the sense that I am grateful to be part of the full tour again. I think Korea is one of the harder events on tour, but they organise it really well and everybody is so friendly. Even though we tend to have to wait for wind sometimes. Jinha beach always delivers. Like I said. I'm glad to be part of it all again.”

PWA: You and Lena had a big battle together with Fulya... Did you feel like you were always in control of the battle or did you think it could've gone either way?

SQ: “Wow, this race felt like a battle of the titans! Yes I feel like it could have gone either way. That first race, Fulya blew us all away (maybe I should just speak for myself!). I saw her winning her qualifying race by quite a stretch, but I never imagined she'd come out all guns blazing like that in the first final. That's literally how I experienced it. I was sitting in 3rd place, with Lena in front and Fulya ahead of us both. And even though I was trying to focus on passing Lena, I couldn't help being fascinated by Fulya displaying her speed and talent on the course. In the next races again I was impressed by Lena's progress. She's faster and that combined with speedy exits of all her jibes makes her a force to be reckoned with. 

“Delphine had quite some bad luck, but in the last race she showed that she has the speed and I'm sure she's going to be up there in the next races. Especially having a bad event for her standards, I think she'll be more motivated than ever to do well.”

“As for me I felt really comfotable on my 7,8 and 110. As soon as the green flag goes up everything goes quite and all I can do is my best. I can't say I felt in control of the battle, because nobody is, there are too many factors to keep in account. All I focused on was having a good start, because really, that's half the work. I finished in top 3 in every race. so I guess being consistent here was key.”

PWA: This is the first year you'll be competing on the full slalom tour since starting your studies... Last time you did the whole tour you were crowned world champ - perfect start to 2015 so same goal again?

SQ: “Yes the first time since 2011. I couldn't have hoped for a better start. After having some trouble in New Caledonia last year, I'm really happy to have started the year like this. And yes, the goal is to reclaim that title. Of course that's the objective of the other girls as well. And I can tell you from my front row seat experience that it's going to be interesting. Having been away from the full tour made me realise that whatever happens, I am just really happy to be in the mix fighting for the top spot!” 

PWA: You’ll be competing in all three disciplines this year... Which one is your favourite - 1) when free sailing and 2) competing (if they are different) and why?

SQ: “Yes, I'll be competing in all disciplines again this year. I don't want to miss out on any of the fun! Every discipline gives their own specific rush.”

“-For competition, slalom gives me the biggest rush by far. The  4 minute build up to the start is insane, and once the flag goes it's an intense 4 minutes of all or nothing until the finish line.”

“-After slalom I like waves as well for competition because you have quite a lot of time to perform. For me then I just get in the zone and enjoy the fact of having the waves virtually to myself. In waves every rider can express their creativity. I think it's really interesting to see how every rider creates and builds up their performance throughout the heat.”

“-By now I love both freestyle and waves for free sailing. But the absolute freedom for me is on the freestyle board in conditions where you have both flat water and chop/waves to launch yourself off of.”

PWA: You’ve been landing sick combos like spock-culos, what's next in the training diary for SQ?

SQ: “Yes! Finally. I'm really driven right now to step up my freestyle game. I've landed spock-culo’s and some pasko's. But I need to get consistent at them so I'm not sure I can showcase them at the next events. But having improved this bit already for me is quite satisfying. That sense of control over your equipment is addictive. That's why I go out and try that same move over and over. I see how the guys are pushing the limits and it's really inspiring to me. I want to get to that level as well. I could already do some double sliding moves, but I'm moving towards the power move combo's now.”

“I know for a fact that the other girls like Arrianne, Oda, Maaike and more are pushing as well and I'm secretly hoping there’s some talented girls out there coming out of nowhere to surprise us all ;-). Look out Boys!”

PWA: Plans before the next event?

SQ: “I’m working on my movie "Cabeibusha" this year together with Julian Robinet. We've filmed in a few locations already, including my island Aruba. In this movie we want to take you guys on my windsurfing adventures and showcase what (pro) windsurfers deal with during the year. (Travelling, training and competing). Can't wait to show you guys some clips. We're heading out to our next filming location straight after Défi. All I can say is that's it's going to be cold! We will start promoting our project soon. So stay tuned and I hope you will enjoy the final production! In June I think I will get ready for my usual Canarian Island summer, starting in Gran Canaria!”

PWA: Thanks SQ. Congrats again on winning in Korea and we’ll look forward to seeing you in Gran Canaria in July.

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