This Sunday, November 23, a tight duel pitted Antoine Albeau against Cyril Moussilmani on the waves of Noumea for the title of world funboard champion in the slalom category. Albeau conceded 17 points to his competitor, despite his two victories this year, on the Costa Brava and in Fuerteventura, and he finally beat Cyril Moussilmani by a narrow margin. It was on the water of Anse Vata that the colossus of 100 kg for 1.85 m managed to regain the upper hand by finishing second in the last stage of the championship, won by the Dutchman, Ben Van Der Steen. The new champion declared " The wind was a bit capricious in direction and strength but I had taken a very big sail and it paid off. We had a great final with Cyril, it's really great. Twenty years ago I took part in the last World Cup in Noumea and I had to place in the top 15. Today, I'm thrilled to win the world title here in Noumea."
For the first time, this World Championship podium is entirely French, with the 1st era place won by Antoine Albeau, the 2nd ème by Cyril Moussilmani from Marseille and the 3 ème by Pierre Mortefon. At the age of 42, the windsurfer still shows his supremacy in the discipline.
Portrait of Antoine Albeau
Aged 42, Antoine Albeau holds 22 world championship titles won since 1994 in various disciplines (slalom, freestyle, speed ...). Originally from the island of Ré, he started skiing at the age of 5 and won his first French championship title in 1986 at the age of 14, then turned professional in 1992. From 1986 to 2001, Antoine Albeau won 10 French championship titles.
On March 5, 2008, at Saintes-Maries de la Mer, he set the world sailing speed record over 500 meters with an average speed of 49.09 knots. Antoine Albeau will beat his own record in November 2012, in Namibia, with 52.05 knots (96 km/h).
