Du bist hier auf den Kapverden Dritter geworden, hättest Du hier auch gewinnen können?
Kevin Pritchard: “I’d like to think so, but the waves here are just so critical. You have to get the right waves to win the heat. It’s definitely a huge advantage to have the wave knowledge that Josh has, and to some extent Kauli, as he was down here real early to train for the event. But this wave kinda suits my style, it’s the same direction as Hookipa, and it’s a big powerful wave, so I’d like to think that one day I could win here.”
Was hat anders gemacht, um den Heat gegen Dich zu gewinnen?
Kevin: “I think he got slightly better waves, and just rode them a little bit better. He was more in the critical section; he’s got a lot of confidence, he knows exactly when and how that wave’s going to break. He’s ridden so many waves at Ponta Preta he knows it so much better any anyone else, and that really helps out.” Hast Du eine Taktik parat, um gegen Josh gewinnen zu können?
Kevin: “I was just trying to get the best wave out there, and really focus on my wave selection. We were both getting a bunch of good waves so it was really a case of giving it all I had on everything I got.”
Als wir mit Kauli gesprochen haben meinte er, dass er sich fast genötigt fühlte mehr Aerials zu Springen, um gegen Josh gewinnen zu können. Erging es Dir ähnlich?
Kevin: “I think when you’re sailing out there you’ve got to have that big air off the main peak to really come out looking good. I was definitely looking for that, and Josh goes for exactly the same kinda thing. But, couldn’t say if Josh’s style was influencing my game, maybe it was, but I was just trying to give it my all.” Denkst Du, dass Josh mit seinem begeisterten Publikum hier einen Vorteil hat?
Kevin: “It’s definitely hard, like one wave, he got a real nice one in front of me. I was just getting ready to bottom turn and suddenly I hear the whole crowd erupt. It’s really hard to stay focused when it’s like that. It doesn’t make me nervous, but you feel this whole vibe that everyone wants Josh to win. I dunno, maybe it even influences the judging a bit, like when the crowd goes wild for one of his waves, it’s going to be hard not to think it’s better than my wave, which has no cheers or anything.”
Josh ist ein ausgefuchster Taktiker, der sich eine Welle schnappt, dann aber wieder aussteigt. So erschwert er seiner Konkurrenz die Wellenauswahl. Hat er das bei Dir auch versucht? Kevin: “He’s a fierce competitor and he uses all his tactics to his advantage, for sure. In this heat he didn’t really do that to me, but in years past we’ve had our scuffles y’know.”
Würdest Du ähnliche Taktiken anwenden?
Kevin: “ Sure. If that’s what it takes to win. It’s all part of reading the conditions. It’s not a bad thing, it’s just competition.”
Wenn Du Dich jetzt entscheiden müsstest: Wäre Dir der PWA Wave oder der Slalom Titel wichtiger?
Kevin: “Probably the wave champion. I think that amongst professional windsurfers, the wave title is slightly more sought after than the slalom. But for me this year I’m focused on both, and just trying to give my best in competition.”
Quelle:
Daily Dose
