“In The Spotlight” today: German Slalom rocket Vincent Langer! Vinci collected quite some titles in 2017: Formula World Champ, German Overall Champ, European Slalom Champ and last but not least he finished 2nd at the PWA on Sylt right after his team mate Marco Lang. Read more about him hereafter!

Let’s rewind to the start of 2017 – how are you looking back on the season? End of 2016 I had a bad injury and broke my left foot. I was working hard in the beginning of the year to get fit again. The training sessions on Tenerife and Lake Garda were long and hard, but after I felt strong again. The first event was the Formula Worlds and I went home with a title – an amazing feeling. After that I did mainly German events, got German Champ in Slalom and Formula and finished the season with a second place at the PWA Sylt in Slalom. Not too bad – I am happy!

Highs and Lows? Sure there were highs and lows, but that is part of the game being a professional sports athlete. Most important is to get up again and train even more.

Did you do anything different in terms of training and did it make a difference? I did. After my injury I was more careful with my body. I think my training was more efficient and I got even stronger.

What is your favorite board in your portfolio you would never toss? It is for sure the Falcon 136. I can use it from 8-25 knots. I think I race up to 95% on this board – my personal winner!

Who do you look up to and why for inspiration in windsurfing and outside of the sport? Honestly, I look up to Antoine Albeau. After so many years he is still motivated, professional and strong in all conditions. Really impressive.

What advice would you give to young groms looking to follow in your footsteps? Work hard, be fair and honest, respect all other windsurfers from a beginner to a world champion and be thankful about each day you can spend on the water. And of course – join my Windsurf Kids Camp! This year it is taking place from 31.07. – 05.08.2018 in Grönwohld, check here for more: https://www.vincentlanger.net/lvm-kids-camp/

Who do you credit as part of your success? My father, my physio and fur sure my sponsors.

Where do you see your future in the sport/immediate and long term plans? I will continue as long as possible. But as soon as I feel that I do not enjoy it anymore, I will stop. Because if you lose your fun while Windsurfing you will not be successful long term anymore.

Funniest moment on tour from 2017? Friends standing on the start line without a harness… Hahaha!

Turns or airs? No turns, no airs – full speed ahead!

Home or Hawaii? Home! It is like Hawaii!

Thrusters or Quads? Single Fin! We just found out that Slalomboards are much faster with one fin only.

High boom or low boom? High!

Big winds or big waves? Actually lighter wind and bigger waves.

What do you expect from your winter training and what skills do you want to improve? I am training as much as I can, anything can always get better! It´s good to train with my team mates like Marco Lang, Pierre Mortefon or Jordy Vonk – we can learn from each other. Besides I am working on different projects with some of my sponsor partners and right now we are already preparing the upcoming kids camps.

Finally, what are you looking forward to in 2018 Fun on the water, wind, sun, testing days, competition, sundowns and summer in Kiel.

More about Vincent:https://www.fanatic.com/team/vincent-langer-2/