Sylt PWA Super Grand Slam - Moody day 5 for competitors

by Chris Yates on 1 Oct 2014 After being graced with plenty of late summer sunshine during the opening days of the event, more autumnal weather moved in on the fifth day of the Davidoff Cool Water Sylt PWA Super Grand Slam with grey skies and infrequent showers. Unfortunately though the light winds continued as the sailors endured another lay day.

Earlier in the day we caught up with Frenchman Nicolas Akgazciyan (99 International / Point-7 / AL360 / Maui Ultra Fins):

PWA: This is your first event since winning the Indoor Freestyle and finishing as runner up in the slalom - how are you feeling?

NA: 'I feel well. I was surprised to have such a good mojo in Poland. I didn’t expect to be able to do as good as I did because on the first night I had a try in the pool and I couldn’t even plane, so I was scared ahead of the trials to make the main event. I finished third in the trials and I wasn't feeling very happy or confident after that, but I think the slalom really helped me to gain confidence.'

PWA: Do you think there’s any particular reason you managed to do so well?

NA: 'I think I had the perfect combo, which helped me a lot, even just in qualifying. I was very surprised with my time in the slalom.'

PWA: You made it through the trials in the waves here on the opening day, are you going to see you at more wave events next year?

NA: 'This year I already wanted to follow the whole wave tour, but I was disappointed not to qualify from the trials in Pozo. After not making the main event in Pozo I didn’t think it made sense to continue trying to do the rest of the tour this time around as it would have been difficult in terms of gaining a good ranking. After here I’m also going to be in La Torche too though, just to help prepare for the next year.'

PWA: How did you find the conditions on the opening day?

NA: 'It was pretty hard. The wind was really light and fully onshore, so even just getting out beyond the whitewater and the current was hard work. It was really difficult, but it was the same for everybody. It was perfect to make it through.'

PWA: You’ve spent the majority of your windsurfing career competing in freestyle - where do you go to train waves?

NA: 'Either in Leucate or Marseille. I’ve started sailing with Thomas (Traversa), Anthony (Ruenes), Adrien (Bosson). Also sometimes in Leucate we have side onshore winds with waves, so I’m sailing with Julien (Mas) too. When I go to Tenerife for the development of the Point-7 Sails, which I’m involved in, I’m also sailing waves there too. I think sailing waves has also helped me with jumping in freestyle.'

PWA: Port or starboard tack?

NA: 'I prefer starboard tack.'

PWA: How do you like being involved with the development side of windsurfing for both Point-7 and 99 International?

NA: 'It’s very interesting to be involved. Andrea (Cucchi) gave me a lot of freedom and this is one of the best things about Point-7 on the whole, they really listen to the feedback from their sailors. Andrea and the team are always pushing for new ways to develop, so it’s a great working environment with Andrea and the team.'

'And for 99 International it was quite a big change for me after seven years with Starboard. I used to help them with the development too in Thailand, but this was a unique and new opportunity, which really appealed to me with 99 International. I’m really grateful to them for giving me this chance to be involved with the development and I’m looking forward to help further develop the brand and the boards. They are very active and listen to all my feedback to produce the best product possible for the customers.'

PWA: Have you got anything else you’d like to add?

NA: 'Just to say thanks to everybody - my sponsors, my family and friends who have helped me and given me their support. So a big thanks to all of you.'

PWA: Thanks Nico.

The forecast for tomorrow shows light southwesterly winds with 9-10 knots being predicted. The skippers’ meeting for all three disciplines will be held at 10am tomorrow morning with the first possible start at 10:30am. If the light winds do continue then we’ll have more interviews coming PWA World Tour