3 questions to Antoine Albeau

24/03/2023

Frenchman Antoine Albeau, recently retired from the PWA World Tour, is launching the Antoine Albeau Series this year (see our article of 14 March). In an interview with Windsurfjournal.com, he talks about this first edition, which will take place on his home island of Île de Ré from 6th to 8th May.

Windsurfjournal.com: How did the Antoine Albeau Series come about?
Antoine Albeau: Freddy Vallat and I decided to organise an event here on the Ile de Ré. I've been an ambassador for the Ile de Ré for a few years now and the director of the Community of Communes here, Lionel Quillet, had told me that it would be really great to have a windsurfing event around me on the island. That was at least 10/15 years ago and here we are! We want to make it a long-distance event that will be sustainable, and my wish is that the World Cup riders will come and discover my island and where I come from. I want them to discover the place and imagine me training here all these years to take part in the PWA World Tour and other international competitions.

WJ: Can you give us any idea of the possible long-distance routes, depending on the conditions?
AA: We will be right at the end of the Ile de Ré, in the commune of Les Portes-en-Ré, whose mayor is Alain Pochon, the president of the Grand Pavois - La Rochelle boat show. So we have quite a few possible courses depending on the wind direction. We have the Îlates mark opposite La Couarde Nord which is 7km from the start opposite the Anse du Fourneau beach, the event beach and the Baleineaux lighthouse which is 10km away and potentially between the 2 natural marks you have 17km so quite a lot of room to manoeuvre. The race is of course open to both foil and wingfoil competitors, with the possibility to adapt according to the disciplines and the wind. We will be on the beach in front of the famous Banc du Bûcheron, which will be a great discovery for the competitors and their companions...

WJ: Following the success of this first edition, do you intend to replicate the concept in other spots in France and around the world?
AA: We are talking about it, yes, and we really hope to repeat it next year. We are in the process of organising it and we will see what we do after that. I am happy because we have local partners who are with us. The Community of Communes, the Department of Charente-Maritime and the Region of Nouvelle Aquitaine are also with us.