© Gilles Martin-Raget
Factfile
Name	Antoine Albeau
Nation	FRA
Date of Birth	17 June 1972
Place of Birth	La Rochelle, France
Website	http://www.antoinealbeau.com/

Since 1994, Albeau has notched up a staggering eighteen world titles across many disciplines and also held the World Speed record at 49.09 knots back in 2008. During the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award nomination period, Albeau won the German leg of the 2009 PWA Tour, his sixth win from seven events, and he was crowned 2009 PWA Slalom World Champion.

In March 2010 he took on the Formula Windsurfing World Championship in Argentina and won that as well. Albeau was almost untouchable in Mendoza, winning seven of the 15 races and ending the series with a 27 net point lead.

Back on the PWA Tour and Albeau flew out of the blocks at the first event in Korea to take a win in May. This was followed by second place in Catalunya, first again in Fuerteventura and then another second at the World Cup event in Alacati, Turkey in August. This impressive achievement hands Albeau the 2010 Overall Slalom title with a regatta to spare, his fifth successive world title in this discipline.

Born in La Rochelle in France, Antoine Albeau was introduced at an early age to windsurfing by his father. Since his first outing at five-years old, using a cut down adult sail so it wasn't too big for him, Albeau has become one of the most successful windsurfers in the history of the sport.

PWA World Tour

1 - Sylt, GER - October 2010
1 - PWA Overall Ranking Slalom Men 2009 - won 6 of 7 events in 2009
1 - Ulsan, KOR - May 2010
2 - Catalunya, ESP - June 2010
1 - Fuerteventura, ESP - July 2010
2 - Pegasus Airlines PWA World Cup, Alacati, TUR - August 2010
1 - PWA Overall Ranking Slalom Men 2010 (with a regatta to spare)

1 - Formula Windsurfing World Championship, Mendoza, ARG - March 2010

Q&A

What inspired you to take up sailing?

My dad was windsurfing and I wanted to try it too

What was the first boat you ever sailed and how old were you?

I was 5 years old. My first sail was homemade - my Dad cut it from a bigger sail because kids rigs didn't exist back in 1977!

Name your first sailing club

Winds Club Couardais, Ile de Ré

What was the first event you competed in and in what year?

On the Ile de Ré under 14s in 1984 (I was 12 at the time) and I was sailing montype BIC rig

What are you personal sailing career highlights?

All my World titles and the World Speed Record in march 2008 at 49.09 knots (91km)!

What are your future sailing goals?

I would like to win more World titles and to get the World Sailing Speed Record again.

Who has had the greatest impact on your sailing and career and why?

My dad because he showed me the way in the beginning and then Robby Naish because he has done so much for the promotion of our sport worldwide.

Who is your sailing hero?

I don't really have one in particular, but I admire the careers of Robby Naish and Bjorn Dunkerbeck

What other sports do you enjoy?

I love many different action sports - anything that is in or on the water, snowboarding, cycling, motocross etc.

What does being nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards mean to you and how would you feel if you were voted the winner?

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