3 questions to Maciek Rutkowski

20/06/2023

Reigning World Champion Maciek Rutkowski of Poland won the Torbole PWA World Cup, the first slalom event of the season on the PWA World Tour. For Windsurfjournal.com, he looks back on this event in Italy and looks forward to the slalom races in Pozo Izquierdo at the beginning of July.

Windsurfjournal.com: How did it feel to arrive in Italy last May with a World Championship title to defend? title to defend? And how did your race go overall?
Maciek Rutkowski: It was definitely different! I thought that with a title under my belt I would be more relaxed and able to focus on the race rather than the result. And I did manage to concentrate on the race, but it was the most stressful event ever! We had really bad weather and we heats and then go back to the beach, sometimes the wind would die completely in your heat or just before the start, so it was super easy to make a small mistake with big consequences. That raises the stress level a lot. But a world title definitely gives you the ultimate confidence and I was in trouble many, many times and I never stopped believing. That helps a lot!

WJ: In the end, you got the job done by being the most consistent and present at all the finals. What lessons can you draw from this 1st event?
MR: Actually, my consistency started at the end of 2019. Something I've consciously worked very hard on to get my equipment, my body and especially my mind to a high level. Then in 2020 and 2021 we didn't have many events, but in those 2 years I did all the finals of all the events I did, including being the only guy to do it all in Israel at the only 5* event of 2021. But then I realised it wasn't enough, we had 7 eliminations, exactly the number where you get 2 eliminations, so less consistent guys could throw away 2 and I didn't have the wins or enough 2nd places to get on the podium and finished 4th despite being consistent! So last year I really focused on taking the opportunities I was given and really trying to race super hard no matter what the circumstances. Nail the start and go all out in the jibes, don't calculate. So in Garda we also finished with a bad number for a consistent person - 4th elimination gets you the first discard. But this time I had a win, a 3rd and a 4th - all after hard fights and some overtaking, but all high level results. So it's not just consistency, it's consistency at a very high level that you need to win. I think a lot of people miss that a little bit.

WJ: Announced at the beginning of the year, the PWA event in Pozo Izquierdo will now take place. On a windy and technical spot, it's a stage that should reshuffle the cards this season?
MR: First of all, I'm super stoked to finally be competing there! My first (half) season on the tour was in 2010 and the last Pozo slalom was in 2009. Racing in high winds is what I enjoy the most, I think like most racers and most fans! So it will definitely be fun. I think there are some fin specialists looking forward to a result and foil specialists praying for a light week, but I think the cream always rises to the top - the best guys are prepared for anything. So I wouldn't be surprised to see the same usual suspects fighting for the podium - after all, no matter what gear you use and how fast you are, you have to start well, jibe well, race aggressively but smartly, minimise mistakes and maximise opportunities. Slalom windsurfing is a very complex, beautiful sport and I hope we put on a great show for you at home!