20 Questions
Sebastian Kornum (JP / NeilPryde) made his debut on the PWA World Tour back in 2010 and since then he has recorded several top 10 results in the racing disciplines - most recently finishing 4th in Foil in Japan. The 26-year-old may not be have the ‘typical’ physique for racing, but continues to break the mould by proving that you don’t necessarily have to be super tall in order to succeed on the race course - whether that be Slalom or Foil. The Dane also qualified for the 2014 Aloha Classic to show he is a complete all-round sailor. We recently caught up with Sebastian to be the latest athlete to take our 20 Questions feature:
1. Why are you so passionate about windsurfing?
I always liked to compete in sports since I was a kid, and windsurfing is the perfect sport that gives me all the great challenges it comes with. Besides the competition perspective I truly love windsurfing and the chance to be every day on the water.
2. What quality do you like most in other people?
Honesty, generosity, attentiveness.
3. What annoys or frustrates you the most?
Injuries (had a few already), electronic stuff that doesn’t work.
4. What do you most like in yourself?
No idea haha.
5. What do you dislike in yourself?
Sometimes I manage to confuse myself about which activity to choose on a given day. There are so many options, and that seems to make me slightly stressed at times because I like to do all of them. At least I am afraid to miss one of them!
6. What has been your best moment on tour?
Not sure if I have a clearly best moment on tour, but as a couple of those I remember was winning my first loser’s final in Slalom in Sylt 2013, qualifying for the Aloha Classic 2014, 7th in Slalom Hvide Sande 2016 and 4th in Foil Japan 2019.
7. What has been your worst moment on tour?
Must be an airport experience few years ago flying back from Japan. Not going to tell more about that though...
8. Knowing what you know now, what advice would you have given yourself when your career started?
At the very early stage I should have focused more on trimming equipment. I truly thought that in the beginning that I could get away with being stronger and having better technique. Other than that, I was very fortunate to have good guidelines from better sailors such as Jesper Vesterstrøm, Brian Røgild or my dad.
9. What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Focus on the first things first, and the smartest guy wins.
10. What would be your perfect day?
Wave sailing and mountain biking with friends in Denmark in one day!
11. Do you have any superstitions?
Might have a little bit but not as much as I used to have as a kid. I would pray the night prior to a motocross race or windsurf competition. I still believe there is something though.
12. Which living person do you most admire?
I admire a lot of athletes for their dedication to sport and mental strengths. Mostly those who have accomplished big results and stayed humble and grounded at the same time. It’s a fine line to walk, but the Danish race driver who is 9 times Le Mans winner, Tom Kristensen, does it very well and would be the first person on my mind.
13. What is your greatest fear?
Losing a loved one.
14. What is your most treasured possession?
My NeilPryde Course Racing Foil ;-)
15. If you weren’t a professional windsurfer, what would you like to be?
Sports coach
16. Where is the best place you’ve been?
The best temporary location I’ve been to is Maui. Having said that, I still prefer living in Denmark!
17. Where would you most like to go to that you haven’t been to yet?
I would love to go to New Zealand once.
18. Who would you most like to have as a dinner guest, dead or alive?
Ken Roczen, alive. I’m a true fan of his motocross riding and how he manages to overcome difficult moments in life.
19. First App you open in the morning?
20. A phrase you live by?
Learn to learn
Thanks, Sebastian!
You can stay up to date with all of Sebastian Kornum’s latest news and adventures via his Social Media Channel:
Instagram: @sebastiankornum