72 TRAINING SLALOM
But getting across the line efficiently is one part of the
puzzle. You can have the best start in the world but if
you cannot go around corners you are in trouble. Well, if
you are the first one to the mark you are gybing alone,
with a very hungry pack on your tail. But for everyone
else the pressure is on. In the huddle you have to find
that gap – threading the eye of the needle so to speak.
Without room for glides to pass through the no wind
zone you stop. So there were lots of gybe exercises
completed. You can see why numbers are needed. You
need people for as realistic an experience as possible.
Personally it was great to watch and meet all the
people and I look forward to following everyone this
year racing. With hopefully more of these pro slalom
training gatherings taking place the level of riding for
anyone attending will hopefully improve massively.
Thanks must go out Philippe Chiappero for the use of
the jet ski as well as Christophe Manegat for taking
time out of his holiday to drive and Leo Skagerlind for
filming. Plus all the other people that made the
training happen, cheers!
A hive of activity
Fine tuning equipment is also essential. Of course you
can do this alone with your GPS but to have people
you can go up against is far better. During water time
rest periods it was a hive of activity from just changing
combos to full rig tuning. Cutting battens, changing
cambers and masts – it was all going on. For those on
Point 7 sails having Andrea around to discuss tuning
options was invaluable. He is fast on the water as well
so having him as a bench mark was useful.
The next windsurfing event in Costa Teguise is the pro/am event in July.
Aloha Lanzarote Amateur Slalom 3-4 July and the EFPT Freestyle 5-8 July. Hopefully we’ll see you there!
uk
WIND
SURFING