Van Broeckhoven Out

2011 PWA Freestyle World Champion - Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP / NeilPryde) - will unfortunately be missing from this year’s line up in Fuerteventura having sustained an injury, whilst training in Egypt. The Belgian maestro made the perfect start to the campaign in France as he claimed an emphatic victory and would’ve been heavily involved in the remainder of the title run in, but he will now have to put hopes of adding to his sole world title on the back burner until next year now.

Steven Van Broeckhoven speaks about his untimely injury:

“It happened in Egypt during a training session outside the reef with similar conditions like Lanzarote with wind swell. In the first week the training was perfect. I was super motivated to sail and push my level and I also felt a lot of energy during my session. In the second week I crashed my ‘airkabi’ on my weak side and I hurt my foot – which happens quite often in freestyle. So, I wanted to continue sailing but I felt that something was not right. Back on the beach I knew this ‘problem’ would not be fixed in a week. Then I went to hospital in Dahab where they made an x-ray: I had a fracture in the 5th metatarsal. I talked directly to my osteopath who said that it is a Jones fracture which needed to be fixed with a screw.”

“This was obviously bad news: It means I will miss my most favorite event in Fuerteventura and therefore most likely lose the 1st place in world ranking. It’s really hard to understand because I was ready for it and trained hard to be fit. But such things can happen – they are part of professional sports and will not affect my level and motivation. I know I’m in good hands and will be 100% fit in short time.”

“The surgery went smoothly and I was under anaesthetic for only half an hour. I now have 6 cm screw through the centre of the bone which will stay. Since the surgery I am happy to be able to do some training again to keep both my body and mind in shape - there’s not much else I can do right now. Hopefully in the next week or so I can start walking on my injured foot again and properly start my rehabilitation.”

Everyone at the PWA would like to wish Steven a speedy and successful recovery.

If you would like to stay up to date with Steven Van Broeckhoven’s progress click here.