Antoine Albeau, den regerende PWA World Champion har gennem årene vist sig som en af verdens bedste allround windsurfere og med fire PWA Slalom sejre i træk, dominerer han sin foretrukne disciplin.
RIDER’S PROFILE
| Name: |
Antoine Albeau |
| Nickname: |
Tonio |
| Country: |
France |
| Current place of residence: |
Ile de Re |
| Sail No: |
FRA 192 |
| DOB: |
1972-06-17 |
| Country: |
France |
| Sponsors: |
Neilpryde, JP Australia, Quiksilver, Ford Autovital, Orangina, Deboichet fins, GPS Garmin |
| Disciplines: |
slalom / wave / speed |
| Q. |
Favorite NP sails |
| A. |
RSR Evo II – Alpha |
| Q. |
Windsurfing since |
| A. |
long time |
| Q. |
Teampryde since |
| A. |
1998 |
| Q. |
Why windsurfing |
| A. |
family thing |
| Q. |
How did you start (and where) |
| A. |
My dad had a windsurfing school on Ile de Re. I grew up with windsurfing |
| Q. |
Main titles |
| A. |
World champion Freestyle 2001 – World champion formula 2004/2005 – PWA Super-X Champion 2006 – PWA Slalom 42 World Champion 2006/2007/2008 – ISA World Speed Champion 2007 |
| Q. |
Home spot |
| A. |
Ile de Re |
| Q. |
Favorite spot |
| A. |
Lizay Ile de Re, France and Hookipa, Maui |
| Q. |
5 most played songs on my ipod |
| A. |
not have any more Iphone I went windsurfing with it in my pocket !!!  |
| Q. |
secret for success |
| A. |
be serious in what you do |
| Q. |
other sports |
| A. |
SUP, snow boarding, foiling, jet sking, kiting |
INTERVIEW
NP: You have been amazing this season, once again. What is the secret in staying so consistent?
AA: Going into a competition you have to be completely prepared – physically, mentally and know all your equipment really well, to give yourself the best possible chance. This is super important! Then when the racing starts I try to stay focused on what I am doing and the rest all just comes together. There is no ‘secret’ – I just work hard to do my best! That is the key. No holidays!
NP: You have won almost everything, what still motivates you?AA: I hate losing! I want to win for myself and also for all the people backing me. All my sponsors give me the best possible chance to do well and I don’t want to let them down. This is all I have ever wanted to do and if you’re going to dedicate your life to something you might as well give it your best shot, otherwise what is the point of doing it?
NP: The last event of the season will once again be held in Sylt. How will you prepare for this event?
AA: Once the season has started I use each event to prepare for the next because often I don’t have a lot of time in between. Often one competition finishes and I have to get to the next one as quickly as possible. By the time I get to Sylt I’m pretty tired, but it’s such a great place to go that I get fired up again!
NP: What are your other projects for the end of 2009?
AA: I really want to try again to break the speed world record so I hope the Canal will open.
NP: What do you think of NeilPryde 2010 collection?
AA: I have tested some of the new wave sails, in particular the new Alpha, and I really like them. The new construction makes the 2010 sails even lighter. The H2 is just amazing, so much more powerful and fast for a two cam sail.
NP: How are you involved in the NeilPryde racing program?
AA: I spend a lot of time in Maui to test the new slalom and formula sails and I can tell you that the people who are working there are really motivated and everything is made to get the best windsurfing sails every year.
NP: What does it mean to be a TeamPryde rider?
AA: I am very proud to be sailing with NeilPryde – they are by far the best out there and I am very happy to be involved with the whole team, both the riders and all the people behind the scenes that help me so much. It’s like one big family. Working with Robert Stroj is great – we’re friends as well as work colleagues and we understand each other. He is so talented – my slalom sails are amazing and I know he works super hard to give us the best. I feel lucky to be part of it all.
NP: How do you see the future of windsurfing?
AA: For me windsurfing is just the best thing in the whole world. I hope the pro tour continues to be successful because I want to carry on doing that and I think it is important that we show people that windsurfing is a sport for everyone – at any level. You don’t have to compete or have all the latest gear to have fun.
NP: Describe your perfect day.
AA: There are a lot of perfect days. I really like to do a lot of different sports – I like surfing and now stand-up surfing, too. I can spend a lot of time on water, but don’t forget that a good windsurfing day in the waves with some friends is very good too. Just making the most of sport on any level. I also enjoy relaxing with my wife, family and friends, but preferably on the beach!
NP: You’ve traveled all around the world. Which place would you still like to discover?
AA: There are a lot of places I want to visit – the more you travel the more places you want to go. I want to go to Iceland or Canada or Las Vegas – there are lots of places that could keep me busy for years!
NP: What’s you best windsurfing experience?
AA: Winning my first World Title. It was such an amazing moment.
NP: Tell us a little bit more about your home spot:
AA: I live on a small island off the west coast of France called Ile de Ré. It is attached to the mainland with a long bridge and I am really lucky to live there because there is often wind and waves and it is not too cold during the winter.
NP: What is the one windsurfing tip people keep asking you about?
AA: How I do what I do.
NP: One word to describe windsurfing.
AA: Necessary!
NP: How do you like your life right now?
AA: I love it but all the travel makes you leave behind the people and places you love.
Hej alle sammen!
