Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup
Since finishing as the vice-world champion in 2019, Marcilio Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC) has been simply unstoppable. Since the enforced Covid break the Brazilian has reeled off a hat-trick of world titles - taking his tally to a grand total of five (4x Wave & 1 Freestyle) - and the 37-year-old isn’t showing any signs of slowing down any time soon as he currently leads the world rankings after winning every event he has entered so far this season. Now, with Pozo just a couple of days away we caught up with Braw for a quick interview, which you can read below:
Hi Braw, congrats on a great start to the season, which has seen you win three contests already, you must be stoked with your start to the year?
“Yes super stoked. Feeling really good and gear feels great also.”
If you had to pick one - is there one performance that really stands out in your mind?
“I had a lot of fun in Chile. Topocalma final was amazing having the spot with only 3 other guys out. Japan was fun also with the crazy winds and freezing weather, super challenging. Also Maui, competing at home at nuking Ho’okipa is totally different from what we usually get at the Alohas, so that was super fun.”
How long does it normally take you to get used to Pozo conditions again?
“Takes me probably a week or two. It depends on how my preseason has been. Luckily we had a lot of wind already this year, so plenty of time to adjust.”
What does your Pozo quiver look like for this year’s event?
“3.4 to 4.2 , boards 2x 80L and 2x 84L quads…”
You’ve been on a incredible run since Covid - winning three world championships - did you adjust your approach or anything compared to slightly earlier in your career? And how important do you think those years of experience you’ve racked up are?
“I just don’t take it as seriously as I used to, so I don’t feel as much negative pressure like I did before, and having kids has helped me being a bit more relaxed around the contest times. Also, getting older and having more experience helps making the right decisions on some crunch moments sometimes.”
Having won your first wave world title in 2013 it then took you until 2021 to secure your second before going on this incredible run - did you ever start to doubt if you’d get your hands on another world crown?
“After finishing second in 2019 I thought that was my chance, and I was broken to miss it so closely, that one really hurt and I was unmotivated by the end of that year and kind of didn’t want to even think about competing. Having that Covid break really recharged my batteries and gave me a chance to feel really hungry again, it was a fresh start in a way, like I was joining the tour all over again, full of excitement.”
The level in general continues to go through the roof - you finished 9th here last season with the different competition format - what are your expectations for this year’s event?
“Just having fun, going for it, and try to sail the best i can. Just excited to compete!”
Thanks, Braw. Good luck for the event.