20 Questions

Pierre Mortefon (Fanatic / NorthSails) has established himself as one of the top title contenders in the last few years with the Frenchman’s blistering pace making him one of the toughest men to catch once out in the lead, while enabling him to fight back from the death when it looks almost impossible for him to qualify for the next round. The 27-year-old is also one of the most consistent performers on the tour and has finished the past two seasons as the vice-world champion, while in 2014 he ranked 3rd overall. Mortefon is never far away from the action and you can almost guarantee that he will be heavily involved in this year’s title race again as one of the most formidable sailors on the PWA Slalom World Tour - the question is can he go one better than the last two seasons? We recently caught up with Pierre and asked him to be our latest candidate for the 20 Questions hot chair.

Why are you so passionate about windsurfing?

It’s just a perfect combination of different things, you can go super fast, enjoy the nature, alone, with friends, travel or sail in your home spot… there’s so much variety.

What quality do you like most in other people?

Kind and confident.

What annoys or frustrates you the most? 

Coming to the checkin desk at an airport and never really knowing what will happen…

What do you most like in yourself?

When I am trying doing something I will do whatever it takes to achieve it. 

What do you dislike in yourself?

I sometimes want to control everything! 

What has been your best moment on tour?

My two, first victories last year in Turkey and New Caledonia. The first one was my first victory, everything was easy and I won 75% of the races. It was the same in New Caledonia where everything just clicked and went perfectly, which brought me so close to the world title.

What has been your worst moment on tour?

My first time in Fuerteventura a few years ago, after the whole week of competition I was asking myself about what I am doing after falling every single jibe… 

Knowing what you know now, what advice would you have given yourself when your career started?

Two points are super important for me.

1) It's really important to sail in all types of conditions to be able to be perform everyday even though the majority of racing on the PWA is light wind. 

2) Then I think you need to always believe in yourself and what you are trying to achieve. 

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

I don’t remember who said it, but they told me: “it’s never finished until the very end.”

What would be your perfect day?

Two hours of slalom in the morning with super windy conditions - then switching to perfect side-shore wave sailing conditions…

Do you have any superstitions?

Not really…

Which living person do you most admire?

Julie my girlfriend as she waits me so many times throughout the year and she is so supportive, and she really gives 100% of her support for the whole year, even though sometimes it may not be the easiest life for her.

What is your greatest fear? 

Not receiving my accessories bag when I arrive at an event. 

What is your most treasured possession?

Some of my fins ;-) 

If you weren’t a professional windsurfer, what would you like to be?

I am really passionate about sport in general so I think I could work as a coach or team manager in a different sport.

Where would you most like to go to that you haven’t been to yet?

Australia - it’s the country of surf culture and the conditions look absolutely amazing for wave and slalom. 

Who would you most like to have as a dinner guest, dead or alive? 

There is so many I can’t choose, but probably a sportsman!

How would you like to be remembered?

As a good guy, loving and enjoying life and sailing well in all conditions!

Most visited website?

Windguru. 

A phrase you live by?

Alone you are faster, but together you go further.