Three days ago JP-Australia and NeilPryde announced officially, that PWA Freestyle World Champion Steven van Broeckhoven (26) has signed a two-year contract. The Belgian super talent left F2 and Gaastra after two years and will now focus on winning a second worldtitle. This time for JP/NeilPryde. He is probably one of the tallest and heaviest professional freestyle windsurfers – 187 cm and 87 kg, who made it on top while the past years. At the moment Steven is in Cape Town for training and to develop the freestyle board for 2013. In between he had some time to answer our questions.
Marc Leconte, NeilPryde Brand Manager commented:
“We are stoked that Steven is joining TeamPryde. We are putting a lot of effort in our freestyle program and with Steven on board, we believe we can bring freestyle to the next level. Robert Stroj is very impressed with his input and knowledge and enjoys working with him. The future looks great.”
Martin Brandner, JP Brand Manager: “Steven is super professional and fit. He perfectly matches with Werner and the rest of our team. He is not a crazy youngster but a really cool guy with great personality. He knows exactly what he wants and will be able to help us greatly with our product development. He will not just compete for us and hopefully win but will also be very involved in the development of our future Freestyle line. Since he is not from a Caribbean island but from Belgium and started out sailing on a lake, we also see him as a figure head for all those kids who do not grow up in windsurfing paradise but still dream about a professional career in windsurfing.”
Here is nice Air Bob filmed a few days ago in Cape Town
C7: You had great success with F2 and Gaastra in the past. You could win the EFPT title and the PWA worldtitle. Nevertheless you decided to change to JP-Australia and NeilPryde! Why?
Steven: It was not an easy decision, I spoke with Martin Brandner (JP Brand Manager) already a long time ago. Now we came to an agreement, which is great. For me it’s a new thing, a new advantage, which keeps me motivated. So for me it is important to grow more in the sport. Now I’m not just riding for JP/NP, but I’m also fully involved in developing the freestyle gear, what´s already a dream since I am a kid. I will take this job serious. And working with Robert and Werner is just great. They both understand me and they are also in for new things and 100% freestyle, what is great for our sport. Now I’m in Cape Town and I’m really stoked about, how the development of the new gear is going!!
Steven in action at Maui (Pic: JP, NP, Darrell Wong).
C7: You started to talk with JP straight after you had won the title at Sotavento, Fuerteventura, in the beginning of August? When did you decide to sign?
Steven: Yes, I did talk. And this time I met Robert Stroj and Werner Gnigler. But my decision was after Sylt.
C7: Was it a hard decision for you to leave your sponsors?
Steven: For me it was hard for sure. I had 2 succesfull years with them and I want to keep everybody happy. But Gaastra and F2 understood my decision. But I also felt, that I should change and go for something new.
Steven on the NeilPryde website (Source: www.neilpryde.com).
C7: Did you test the new gear a lot before you made the decision? You could not influence the products for 2012. They where developed already!
Steven: Yes, I tried the gear before I made my decision, and it felt good. That makes it easier to change, because for me it’s the most important to have a good feeling with the gear. If I would not feel good, I would never change.
C7: Do you feel a lot of pressure now. JP-Australia definitely will expect a lot from you and NeilPryde is a brand, which is victory driven. So both want you to win the Freestyle title in 2012 again.
Steven: I will take no pressure, I just want to do well. But for sure after a victory there will come anyway more pressure, but that´s good, I like it. Anyway I do my best, like always. My mind stays the same.
C7: How does it feel to be part of one of the most successful teams in the world?
Steven: Yes, this is new for me, like at Maui. I was sailing together with Antoine Albeau, Ricardo Campello or Kauli Seadi. That´s just amazing.
Steven tests the new gear on Maui (Pic: Darrell Wong).
C7: You already started to train Slalom as well. Will you compete in the Slalom discipline in 2012 or will you focus on Freestyle 100%?
Steven: Yes, I do a bit of slalom for fun in my free time, but now I have no free time so I focus 100% on freestyle. Maybe in the future I would like, but I will only do it, if I know I will make a good result.
C7: The worldcup start got postponed! Is this now an advantage for you to have more time getting used to the new gear?
Steven: I got used to the JP/NP 2012 gear very fast, but don’t forget, that I sailed 3 years on the same board shape. So I got used to the JP on the 1st day. The Firefly 5.3 I tried for the first time for the JP/NP video with super light wind and it was working sick – I was really surprised actually.
For all of you, who did not watch the clip yet. Here is the clip:
C7: What types of sails will you use in Freestyle?
Steven: The Firefly and the prototypes for 2013, which are gonna be the best!!
C7: How and where will you prepare for the 2012 tourstart and who will be the hardest opponents in the upcoming season?
Steven: At the moment I’m in Cape Town. After that I have no plans yet. I will see how it goes here and maybe I will stay here a bit longer. The hardest and the most hungry opponents will be Kiri an Gollito for sure!
C7: Thanks for the interview and good luck for 2012!
© continentseven.com 2012, Steven van Broeckhoven
