Leading the Way

Antoine Albeau Feeling Good Ahead of Penultimate Event of Year in Sylt

Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde) is firmly in control of the 2017 Men’s PWA Slalom World Championship title race after fighting back in Denmark to complete a hat-trick of PWA World Cups after previously winning in Costa Brava and Fuerteventura. With the penultimate slalom event of the year starting at the end of the week - 29th September- we caught up with Antoine for a short interview.

You turned the event in Denmark on its head by winning 4 eliminations in a row - which was your favourite day of racing and why?

My favourite day was the day with the strong wind, some riders say it was hard conditions but I felt super easy and fast. For me was a super good day and it was so long that we didn’t race in any strong wind slalom apart from Fuerte.

Before the racing began you said that you hoped that we’d get strong winds for your small sails and boards… you got what you wished for and won both races in the storm force winds on Day 5… it looks like you have an extra gear compared to anyone else in those conditions - are those your favorite?

I have same gear as everybody else, so maybe I tune it better and I might just be better in strong wind.

You’ve been crowned world champion 23-times and you are not far off winning a 24th - do you still get nervous when it comes down to the final battles of the season?

I victory is already here as I am still fighting for first place with the other riders and I won 3 PWA slalom events already, if I win I will be f*****g happy if I don’t win I will be p****d off - just like anybody else who has ever missed out on a title, but no worries if I don’t win this year my 23x will not be taken away from me whatever happens!

Last year you finished 5th - which is your worst result since for a long time… last season did you ever lose confidence?

No, but I had few problem that I don’t like to share with everybody and I had not much speed in light wind, I won Fuerte but all the other events were in light wind and that wasn’t good for me.

Next up is Sylt - how are feeling ahead of the penultimate event of the year?

I feel good I would just like to have wind - not all the time on the 9.4m and big board, we will see how the weather forecast goes.

Thanks Antoine.