3 questions to Pierre Mortefon

11/07/2024

In an eagerly awaited event, Frenchman Pierre Mortefon did not disappoint, winning the Slalom X at Pozo Izquierdo in the Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup. And by never dropping out of the top 3 in any of the 10 eliminations, FRA-14 crushed the competition and is already looking ahead to the next stage in Fuerteventura. Interview...

Windsurfjournal.com: 1st major competition of the year in Pozo and new equipment, what was your state of mind before this important event between excitement and perhaps doubts?
Pierre Mortefon: It was a mix of the 2, excitement and doubt at the same time... I knew I was going fast because the Brest Funboard Tour AFF had allowed me to gauge myself with a high level and a great event in Marignane last April. I'd also prepared for the event by doing a lot of sailing in the south of France with Cédric Bordes. But even in normal weather, it's difficult to gauge the speed of the others and, in the meantime, I've changed all my equipment. But with the week's training on site before the competition, I've cleared up a few doubts. After that, there are always doubts about the race itself because it's not easy to get off to a good start and make effective jibes, especially with a new race format.

WJ: What did you think of this Slalom X format which, as the days went by, finally became 'good old' slalom like we used to see in the past?
PM: There's more and there's less... I'm in favour of doing everything but also classic slalom because that's the basis. And even if you don't add any external elements to the course, for me it stands on its own. If you add a jumping buoy or a chicane, you take away a technical part of the course. I think it's interesting to add extra things, if it's interesting and if it adds something. And if it doesn't, to do classic races because that works very well. The jump adds technicality and stress, it's not easy, and it takes away a bit of strategy. The chicane works well, but there has to be wind, and I was trapped during one race... We raced in half-fleet, we almost sailed in a full fleet, and I find that interesting. But a slalom in 40 to 45 knots with 4 buoys, I think that's already good enough and could add, why not, buoys for 5, 6, 7 or 8 jibes and offer something different!

WJ: How do you explain such a 'crushing' victory, and what does it inspire for the rest of the season, given that your objective is to win 2 world titles this season?
PM: I had great speed with the equipment and my confidence grew as the races went on. Especially when you start the 1st day with places of 1, 2 and 2! I had a great feeling with my 6.0 and my 98-litre board, and it worked really well. I know that when I'm going fast and my confidence is there, it's bound to work. Of course, the others made small mistakes but I remained super concentrated on my navigation and that's what made the difference. After that, we mustn't get carried away, as the season isn't over yet. We've got to keep going and keep things simple. The little difficulty in Fuerteventura will be managing the 2 disciplines, Slalom X and Slalom Foil, as I'm aiming to do well in both disciplines at the same time. I'm still just as motivated as ever to win these 2 titles. It's good to have won the Slalom X at Pozo but, as there aren't many events in the discipline, I'll have to do just as well in Fuerteventura. All the equipment is ready and set, so I'm looking forward to what's next!