Successful athletes are renowned for being forward looking, positive people but hindsight is still used in their coaching for analysing replays to learn what they could and should have done better in the quest for improvement. John Carter corners a selection of the world’s best slalom competitors for a debrief on their training and technique; using his photos, they breakdown the shots and give their advice on speed, setup, stance and the all important gybe!
PIERRE MORTEFON
“This image was from one of the super nice sessions we had last spring in Maui preparing for the PWA season with the ‘Boards and More Team’. I am clearly pushing the limits alongside fellow Fanatic and North teammate Marco Lang! The conditions in Maui can be super technical with the chop so the concentration has to be ‘full on!’ From my side, I am looking as far as I can in front to check how the swell and the chop will be and anticipate it and be ready to react. I know I have Marco on top of me, pushing, pushing, pushing, and I remember hearing the noise of his board eating into the sea. If I make any mistake he is going to pass but I also know he can make a mistake too, so I try to stay focussed on my sailing. Even when I am this flat out in racing mode, I try to stay relaxed to keep my energy.
During this session I was using the new Falcon and Warp 2017 114 and 7.7m. I had not ridden this combination before but I had a really positive feeling for a first run. It was pretty fast as we were sailing in the Hawaiian swell which can give you some serious runs, probably up to 30 knots. I was riding around a 37cm fin to combine solid speed but also a good grip to keep the pressure on through the chop. I always use the vario harness lines, which are 26-32cm. They let me modify and change my position according to the conditions. Here it was choppy and wavy, so I think I was around 30cm to keep control.”
MARCO LANG
This story is from the Issue 364 - April 2017 edition of Windsurf.
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This story is from the Issue 364 - April 2017 edition of Windsurf.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
New School
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After a horrific fracture in his leg from a crashed aerial in 2018, Alessio Stillrich is back! John Carter talks to the highflyer from Gran Canaria about his move to the Simmer team, recovering from injury and how he learned to windsurf in Gran Canaria!
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This month we look at how our front foot weighting can affect and improve different aspects of our main windsurfing moves.
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Nik tweaking it over home waters.
A NEW NORMAL
On a trip to La Tranche-sur-Mer in France last year, Tris Best estimated over 80% of the windsurfers were foiling. This summer in Portland Harbour, foiling activity has increased dramatically too he reports. With the market offering plenty of choice to recreational windfoilers, our test team check out some of the latest foil offerings.
TACKING – THE SEQUEL
Having given you time to practice, Harty concludes his tacking series by critiquing various tacking options, including the carve tack, as well as offering solutions to common slip-ups.
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REDEMPTION DAY!
Renowned for its windsurfing and variety of spots to sail at, Kimmerdige Bay is a wave sailing jewel on the south coast of England. Timo Mullen gives a guide to its shores while reflecting on why a recent session there was a reminder that there is no place like home!
