Interview with Antoine Albeau
Q: How hard is it trying to be an all rounder and compete in all three disciplines?
AA: It takes a long time to train for one thing! When I am in Maui during the winter months I have a very busy schedule. I go to the gym in the morning, then usually do some race if the wind is light and then as it picks up I will do waves or freestyle. During mixed discipline competitions it is quite stressful too because you wake up wondering what you will do today. A few years ago lots of the sailors were in the same position as me but now there are very few. The sailors that only do one discipline seem to have an easy life in comparison (although of course there are some that really put in 100%!) and they often have a 'day off' because the conditions are not always good. If you do everything then it is rare that you can't sail everyday.
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The really hard part comes when I have to choose between the disciplines like I had to do last year. That is frustrating! Last year I followed the World Tour, the French National Tour and did some Euro Cup events too. Obviously some of the events overlapped. This year I'm going to do as much as I can but maybe less of the French events - time to give some of those young guys a shot at the title!
I think it is important to be really involved and active in windsurfing. I owe it to myself and my sponsors. They have supported me really well over the last few years and I want to give back as much as I have been given. My board designer, Jean Boulodires, and my sail designer, Robert Stroj, are both highly motivated and we all work well as a team. They NEVER have time off and there is always something to do!!
So yes, its pretty tough but I am making the most of it whilst it lasts because it is a great lifestyle. And as my dad would say, a bit of hard work won't kill you!
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Q: What have you been up to over the winter season?
AA: After the season ended I went to Maui for testing racing and wave sails for Neil Pryde and also for testing freestyle and wave boards for AHD. Plus there were several photo shoots to do. I was quite busy! Back home for Christmas and then to New Caledonia. Promo there for the Neil Pryde/AHD importer DIABOLO SURF. Then back to Maui for more testing and training. I went to the US Midwinter’s in Orlando, which I won quite easily so I was happy! Now still in Maui and I'll be back in Europe for the beginning of April.
Q: Have you been sailing any big wave days on the coast of France?
AA: In December we had some really good conditions - big waves and good winds. I had some of my best sessions on the Ile de Ré where I live.
Q: You just won the US mid winter race series...what gear were you using?
AA: I was using the production AHD NT98 with a Select fin, 70 R03 DC wide and the new RS3 12.5 production sail from Neil Pryde.
Q: How were the conditions?
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AA: Really light wind, flat water. It was 6-12 knots offshore winds on the first day and on the last day it was 6-12 onshore.
Q: What are your goals for this season?
AA: To win the European and World titles in Formula Windsurfing and to do my best in waves and freestyle.
Q: What is your training schedule leading up to Vargas?
AA: I am not going to Vargas because the European Formula Championships are on at the same time. So I'm getting ready for racing! That means testing all my equipment, going to the gym and checking out the competition!!
Q: Three words to describe yourself?
AA: Strong, powerful and French!
Q: Words to live by.
AA: If at first you don't succeed, try and try again.