Catalunya PWA World Cup

Day 5: Antoine Albeau discusses the season so far after another day on hold

The sailors endured another day on hold as the waiting game continued for the fourth consecutive day in Costa Brava. Unfortunately the forecast Tramontana wind never materialised on the penultimate day. After a cloudy and rainy start to the day the sun eventually broke through and for a while the thermal effect tried to kick in allowing a few planing runs, but it was never suitable for resuming the racing. After being on hold for another day the sailors were released at 6pm.

Earlier in the day we caught up with reigning world champion — Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde):

PWA: It hasn’t been the easiest start to the year with the conditions — how do you cope with that mentally?

AA: “Mentally there is nothing I can do because there is no wind, so actually it’s extremely difficult to show that I can still go fast. I didn’t have much luck here in my first heat because I got stuck after the first gybe and I couldn’t get planing. We were supposed to get Tramontana wind this morning, but unfortunately that never came through. Maybe tomorrow we’ll get lucky with the Tramontana in the morning, but we’ll just have to wait and see.”

PWA: You came into the season on the back of carrying a knee injury over the winter and you are wearing a support at the moment — is it okay?

AA: “Yeah my knee is okay. I don’t have any problems sailing with it, but I wasn’t able to train as much as I wanted over the winter, but I’m feeling confident with my gear, my boards are working well and my sails are amazing. I’ve just been a bit unlucky so far. In Korea we ran my semifinal numerous times and I was flying and then in the final I was on the same gear, but I made a poor start and with it only being possible to complete one race it’s just the way it is. There’s not much we can do about the wind at the moment, but lets hope Fuerte and the remaining events have good wind.”

PWA: Where does A2 come from?

AA: “It’s just my initials. Antoine Albeau — A2.”

PWA: Slightly away from the world of windsurfing… you are expecting your first baby. How are you feeling and when is the baby due?

AA: “It should be next week, but you never know. It’s possible for the baby to come earlier or later. I’m not as stressed as my girlfriend Paula, but I was confident she could wait a little bit. So now its just a day and a half until I can be back home with her and I’m looking forward to that.”

PWA: Do you know if you are having a girl or a boy? Name?

AA: “A little boy, but we don’t have a name yet. We have a few in mind but we haven’t decided yet.”

PWA: Thanks, Antoine. Good luck for the rest of the event and all the best with your baby.

The forecast for tomorrow means the sailors will be in for another early start with the skippers’ meeting being called for 7am and the action commencing from 7:30am (GMT+2) — if conditions allow. Hopefully the Tramontana wind prevails tomorrow morning, but it will require a bit of luck with the forecast showing less wind than today. Make sure you tune into www.pwaworldtour.com to stay up to date with all of the latest developments from the event. 

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