Preseason Buildup

The start of the season is edging ever closer and it won’t be long before another instalment of warp speed slalom will be coming to your screens. Ahead of the first event of the year we caught up with the reigning world champions - Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) and Matteo Iachino (Starboard / Point-7) to see how they are feeling before the start of the season…

Hey SQ how’s it going? How are you feeling ahead of the first event of the season?

“Hi, I’m doing okay! I’ve been back home in Aruba for the past month getting my slalom gear ready.

I don’t know how I match up compared to my fellow contenders as I didn’t get a chance to train with any of them. 

Especially since I decided to go for bigger boards this year. I’ll be using 107l & 127l as medium and big board as opposed to 97l and 114L… Just so I’ll be able to get out of the lulls as quick as the lighter riders. In any case the most important thing is that I’m feeling comfortable on my gear and that also brings confidence. 

So I’m looking forward to see what the start of the season brings. On another more important note, as final preparation I got my hair trimmed today. I think that I’ll be creating less drag and therefore will be going faster.”

How has your winter training gone and where have you been?

“My winter training was hectic, fun and a nice adventure all together. 2 months in cape town, 1 month in Australia and 2 weeks in Maui. Which also means I spent more time wave sailing than anything else.

But the last month in Aruba it’s been all about slalom sailing with the local boys and girls. I’m so amazed at their level and for me it’s just the right motivation… I mean, being passed by kids 10 years my junior either means I’m slow or they’re really fast (They’re fast. Look out for these talents from Aruba in the future!). Either way it means every time I go out I have to get my setup right and step up my game.”

Last year you and Lena Erdil had an extremely close fight for the title are you ready for another battle?

“Well it looks like this year will be a true battle again! Add Japan and New Caledonia to the calendar, sprinkle the line up with riders like Delphine Cousin (Starboard / S2Maui), Fulya Ünlü (Starboard / Point-7 / Mystic), Oda Johanne (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins), Çagla Kubat (Starboard / Point-7) pray for wind everywhere and we’ll have an epic showdown. And I’m looking forward to be in that title race as well!”

Straight after Korea the tour will be heading straight to Japan for the second stop of the tour - have you sailed there much before or heard much about the conditions?

“I’ve never been to Japan and honestly only know about the wavespot Omeazaki, which looks absolutely epic.

Only recently did I find out that many slalom world cups have been held in Yokusuka in the past as well. Having never been there It’s going to be tricky in Japan, but hopefully I’ll get some sailing in before the event starts. I’ve heard a lot of stories from the Japanese riders and can’t wait to experience this new place.”

Finally, when will you be heading to Korea?

“I’ll arrive in Korea 2 days early! Rice and Noodles here I come!”

Hey Matteo, how has your winter training gone and are you feeling ready for the start of the new season?

“Hi guys! It went really good. We sailed in every kind of conditions so far and I’m ready to start!”

Korea will be the start of your title defence - does it feel any different to you preparing for the start of the season as the champion? 

“I feel much more relaxed than last year at the moment. I couldn’t work more than how I did and I can’t wait to start racing.”

After Korea we’ll be going straight to Japan for the second stop of the 2017 slalom tour - do you know what to expect conditions wise there as it’s the first event in over 20 years there.

“I’m just looking over the forecasts and statistics… It looks a windy place, at least from the forecasts, and I hope we will get proper conditions to get a really nice event.”

Last year you managed to win the only elimination in Korea - so you’ll also be defending your event title… Korea can quite often be tricky conditions - how do you find them?

“Yes, it’s always tricky. Often you don’t do many races and then you have to push hard and perform right from the start! You get this flat super gusty conditions when the wind is thermal from the right and this super choppy condition when the wind is side-on from the left… throw in all the seaweed and it is never a really easy place to sail, but I’m ready for the challenge.”

Lastly, when will you be arriving in Korea?

“I’ll be there on the 30th April in the evening to sail a couple of days and get ready for the first race of the season!”

Thanks Sarah-Quita and Matteo. Good luck in the opening event of the year. 

You can track theirs and everyone else’s progress by tuning into www.pwaworldtour.com between the 3rd-8th May.