Since my last trip in Norway, i haven’t updated my website, but during these last weeks, it happened many things!
With a “express” trip in Chile, to check the waves in Matanzas again with my friends Xavier and Damien and to avoid the polar temperatures France have been suffered the first half of February, my waves mission was done. As soon as i came home, Raphael from F ONE called me and ask me to come in Cabo Verde with the R&D team to work on the 2013 kites and boards prototypes… My answer wasn’t too long to come, and it was a YES of course!!! So i have been a lot on the water lately, and hopefully because big things are happening soon and i’ve to be in shape…
First, i’m working on a cool project, a record crossing between St Barthelemy and St Martin islands, in French Caribbean, for the NGO Blue Marine Foundation, for who i’m one of their ambassadors. Blue works on the creation of marine reserves around the globe, and their objective is to raise from 1 to 10% the surface of the ocean protected. We will arrive in St Barths on the 18th of march and will stay in standby, waiting for the perfect weather to cross until the 25th. I will give you more details really soon!
The second challenge is the new edition of the Mondial du Vent in Leucate La Franqui! From 7th to 15th of April, best kiteboarders in the world in speed and freestyle will gather and many amators too to “show what kiteboarding is all about”! The biggest competition is the Orange Speed Crossing, speed and long distance competitions but a PKRA stop for freestyle will take place during this crazy event! A big program for these 10 days but it shows how the Mondial is the biggest kiteboarding event in France and even in the world… Some more news really soon too!
Speed session at home! Photo : Marie DN
Waiting for that, i continue to train on my home speed spot, and this beginning of the year really spoiled us with some +50 knots days!
Xmas and NYE period is one of my favourite at home. Usually, it’s a time of the year when we are spoiled on the ground and on water! Since 24th of december, i’ve been able to session like hell, 2 huge speed days on 24th and 29th, two surf kite sessions the 31st in Beauduc and on 2nd in Carro (well, small swells but it’s already good!). Only good stuffs to end 2011 and begin well 2012!
But let’s come back first to the 2 big speed sessions… They will stay for a long time in my memory, but for different reasons. The one from the 24th of december was a real Mother Nature’s christmas gift. A dozen of Celsius degrees in the air, a solid 35-45 Mistral wind and above all the perfect team : my friends Momo and Christophe, my dad Philippe and I, ready to rumble! Christophe has been able to capture some of the good moments with his GoPro, i’m gonna let you watch the show now!
The 29th of december session has been a little wilder… This time, no picture, but you will find more details and numbers on the website GPS-KITESURFING where all the speedies from all over the world are posting their kitespeed sessions! Mistral wind was blowing much harder than the other time, between 40 and 50+ knots, and the Bandit 5 8sqm simply hold it perfectly! With a Vmax over 59 knots for me, my dad scored his personal best with a B5 7sqm over 50 knots (still on Vmax) and Greg, this time with us got a new PB as well over 49 knots! How could we end the year better!
After these good speed perfs, here comes the “leisure” with some good waves sessions, the first on the 31st of december in Beauduc (the kitesurf Mecqua) to end perfectly 2011, with Marie and Kamel. The second session, in a small “Carro”, with Marco the E.T (shredding waves with his strapless foil!), shot by Greg. Thanks to him, you will find some of the pics on his blog AQUA-TERRA, enjoy!
Session surf et foil kite à Carro le 2 décembre! Crédit Photo : Greg AQUA-TERRA.info
This second week on the American soil has been way better than the first one! A little bit more wind, nice racing conditions, once again wonderful landscapes and crazy spots, perfect to climb and secure the second place on the event ranking…
Anyway, i still have a “bitter” taste in my mouth, due to the lack of strong wind conditions, my smaller kite size was indeed a 11 sqm. But that’s a game, we’ve all accepted, we discovered a new spot and next year, i will be more prepared to defy Rob on his territory!
You can discover a bit more the atmosphere of this competition thanks to Damien Leroy, who shot and edited two cool videos (and who took the headline picture of that new by the way!)
I would also like to dedicate that news to our friend and teammate Christophe Prin-Guenon who had to left prematurely the competition on a wrist injury. We wish him the fastest recovery and comeback on water!!!
It happened so many things since we arrived on Martha’s Vineyard island, thursday 13th of october! Not less than 7 legs raced, in various wind conditions, on both starboard and port tack, from very light to medium-high wind… For the moment, i could only use my Bandit 5 14, 12 and 11, not really the sizes i’m used to ride in speed, but we hope to get some stronger winds within the end of the week.
Riding full speed @ Cape Pogue! Photo : Damien Leroy
Rob Douglas, and his brother Jamie, are of course really familiar with their home spot, and they like these light wind condition but that’s the game! For the moment, my ranking is 3rd, 2 points behind Jamie but with the second speed of the comp at a little bit more than 45 knots. Rob is at 1 knots ahead, but he is now far away in front of the ranking, with 7 wins on 7 races…! By the way, the atmosphere on the competition is awesome, in and out of the water, riders are all smiling and everyone is really enjoying every minute of it. The island is beautiful, and full of spots, perfect for speed of course but also for freestyle and waves…It makes you want to come back here for holidays!
We should get some good winds again by the end of the week, with some cooler temperatures, that should be less funny… But with the happiness and smiles from the locals, it should be OK!
As a bonus, the video shot and mount by Damien Leroy of the first days, which should give you a good overview of the quality of the spots here!
LEAVING TODAY FOR THE US : #NASSI SPEED COMPETITION
I’m flying this morning to Boston with the F ONE speed team (Charlotte, Christophe and Manu) where we are invited to the first edition of the NASSI (North American Speed Sailing Invitational), that will take place from the 17th to the 31st of october, on Martha’s Vineyard island.
L'affiche du NASSI... USA vs FRANCE
The goal of the competition is simple : they invite the 12 best speed riders according to the WSSRC ranking (+ 3 wild cards) who will battle on the various spots available on the island to see who’s the fastest of course!
The US and French “drafts” are well represented (6 riders each) so it sounds like it’s gonna turn into a duel USA vs FRANCE, but well…. it’s written anyway on the poster!!!
A short overview of my speed training session @home yesterday, sunday 15th of May! Nice conditions with a Mistral blowing 40 knots + in the gusts, really flat water, and my dad who’s sharing the session with me.
Bandit 4 8m in my hands, F ONE Speed Custom under my feet, let’s go! A nice run on the video (and yes, i still have to manage how to display the GPS screen!) with a 56.8 kts max speed and a 54 on 250m. Not too bad! I’m really looking forward to get some “hardcore” conditions on our favourite spot!!! Keep you posted!
