INTERVIEW WITH TRISTAN ALGRET

Ranked 8th in the last PWA Alaçati Slalom event, Tristan Algret (2013 PWA Youth Slalom Champion)  was indeed the surprise of the event. Just 20 years old, and despite and early season injury and a bad season start,  he managed to classify for the first final of the event (and his first ever PWA final) and liking the taste of it, did a total of four winner finals during the event to finish up in the top ten with all the big names. Of course he was also the first Youth.

LS: So, how do you feel after your best ever PWA performance?     TA: I feel good, I am really happy with my result and my sailing during the Alaçati event. I started the competition without any pressure but with a lot of motivation, as we spent one week in Bodrum training with a big part of the Loft Team with similar conditions to the ones we had during the event in Alaçati, one of my favorite spots.   LS: You were very constant during all the event, how did you manage to keep up with all the big names?   TA: I do not know exactly how I managed…  I was confident about myself and my sailing, I also did not have any pressure and approached the competition heat by heat instead of thinking about my final ranking. I managed to classify for the first event final, and then realised that anything was possible.   LS:  How important was for your performance the International Loft riders meeting held in advance of the event?   TA: we had a great time and we did spend a lot of time on the water, testing, training  starts and gybes, photoshooting … so, yes,  I think it was a good preparation for the event. I would also like to thank Lena Erdil for hosting us … I hope to be back next year.   LS:What sails did you mostly use during the event?   TA: I used my 8.6 and 7.8 with the big and medium slalom boards … the best gear for this kind of spot… flat water and windy ! The 8.6 is really easy and performant, I used it from 10 to 25 knots !   LS: What lieas ahead in your season’s calendar?   TA: Actually I am going back to school only for one week to start a new year in the Montpellier Business School, and  after that I will  go to Guadeloupe to see my family and my friends to be back in France for the next PWA world cup in Sylt !   LS: Congratulations for your  great performance.