Project New Horizon
The 27 x world champion and speed king embarks on a new chapter that will reshape windsurfing.
Project New Horizon delivers its promise. SEVERNE announces a partnership that will send shockwaves through the windsurfing world: Antoine Albeau (Severne Windsurfing), the 27-time World Champion and undisputed speed sailing king, has joined team SEVERNE.
A Legendary Decision
After an unprecedented 27 years with the same brand, Albeau’s move to SEVERNE represents more than a sponsorship change; it’s a declaration of intent from one of windsurfing’s greatest legends.
“Yes, it’s true that after 27 years, changing is a really monumental shift,” explains Albeau. “But in the end, every story has an end. I saw that Severne is progressing significantly with their development. They’ve been improving a lot in terms of performance these last few years. So why not join them? This will give me motivation as well.”
The Cedric Bordes Connection
Central to bringing Antoine to SEVERNE was team rider Cedric Bordes, whose friendship with Albeau spans decades of training together on the PWA World Tour.
“I always say that he’s part of my titles, my success as well, because he was a really important training partner,” Antoine reflects. “The fact that Cedric is in the Severne team, testing and developing, is really great for me because we are good friends. I think it’s going to be amazing to test together again and create the best equipment.”
A Natural Alignment
While Cedric Bordes established the initial connection, what followed surprised everyone involved. From the very first conversations, it became clear that Antoine’s vision and SEVERNE’s brand philosophy shared remarkable common ground.
“We connected really nicely,” Antoine recalls. “They’re really interested in having me in the team, and I think we’re going to do something great.”
The conversations flowed effortlessly, with common goals emerging naturally around pushing performance boundaries, innovative development, and the relentless pursuit of perfection. Both parties recognized immediately that this wasn’t just a sponsorship opportunity. It was a true partnership of shared values and ambitions.
R&D and Innovation Focus
What truly excites Antoine about joining SEVERNE goes beyond racing – it’s the return to active equipment development.
“I’ve been involved in development all my life. I was testing a lot with the designers, sails and boards, and this was missing in my past few years,” he explains. “To start again, to test the sails, to test the boards, to try to make the best, the best of the best, is really a target for me.”
Albeau will join SEVERNE as a rider and an R&D crew, working alongside Cedric Bordes and reigning World Champion Matteo Iachino to push the boundaries of performance across SEVERNE’s race lineup—from the Mach and Hydro to cutting-edge speed prototypes.
Breaking the 100 km/h Barrier
While Antoine may have stepped back from PWA racing, his hunger for speed records burns brighter than ever. Since breaking his first speed world record in 2008, no one has matched his achievements; a record he’s broken multiple times, most recently in 2024.
“Since 2008, when I first broke the world speed record, no one has beaten it. Next November, I will be in Lüderitz, and I hope that we are going to reach 100 km/h,” Albeau declares, his eyes firmly set on windsurfing’s ultimate speed barrier.
A Team of Legends
Albeau joins an already stellar SEVERNE roster including reigning World Champion Matteo Iachino, 42-time World Champion Bjorn Dunkerbeck, five times Wave World Champion Philip Köster, and legends Jaeger Stone and Scott McKercher.
“Matteo was one of my biggest competitors in the past few years on the tour, and we are good friends as well,” says Albeau. “I think it’s going to be amazing to be with him in the team, as well as Cedric, and sail together, compete together, and develop together.”
Antoine Albeau and Cedric Bordes testing the new SEVERNE Hydro foil racing board. Photo by Raphael Bauer.
The SEVERNE Vision
SEVERNE’s mission to create “the lightest, most responsive gear on the planet” aligns perfectly with Antoine’s lifelong pursuit of marginal gains and performance. Together, we’re posed to charge toward new speed barriers while continuing to redefine what’s possible in equipment design.
As Cedric Bordes puts it: “With Antoine’s name, he’s going to add another notch to the brand, even if the products were great before he arrived. And with his help, we can even take further steps.”
Looking Ahead
When asked to envision this partnership five years from now, Antoine’s ambitions are clear: “I would like to break a lot of records again, maybe win some world titles with SEVERNE. That would be amazing. And just enjoy as much time as possible on the water.”
The partnership also strengthens SEVERNE’s position in France, one of windsurfing’s largest markets, while adding global credibility to a brand already dominating across multiple disciplines.
The Journey Begins
From the upcoming Defi Wind where Antoine will make his first public appearance as a SEVERNE rider (with a signing party on May 30th), to his return to Lüderitz chasing the 100 km/h dream, this new chapter will be spectacular.
Welcome to New Horizon.