A well-deserved retirement
Antoine Albeau announced on his social networks that he is ending his prolific career. Figure of the PWA World Tour, professional windsurfing circuit, the man with 25 world titles retires from the circuit. He is about to participate in his last competition in Japan.
Antoine Albeau explains: "I leave with the satisfaction of having achieved everything, and of having given it my all at every competition, always giving 100% to finish on top of the podium again and again. I did it for me, for my sponsors, for each of my fans who love windsurfing as much as I do and for my beautiful family. I have worked tirelessly for every title. I leave with no regrets. My windsurfing career has given me everything I have and has also given me lifelong friends all over the world. It's been 30 years and 25 incredible world titles."
25 world championship titles and records in battle
His father introduced him to windsurfing and the sportsman started competing at the age of 10. He won his first title of French champion in Port Camargue in 1986, before continuing to win. He became a professional in 1992 and joined the world circuit in 1994.
In addition to windsurfing victories, Antoine Albeau also likes records. On March 5, 2008, he broke the world sailing speed record on the Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer canal. Over 500 meters, he reached a speed of 49.09 knots.
In 2012, in Namibia, Antoine Albeau improved his score with 52.05 knots over 500 meters. With a peak of 54.14 knots, he is the first windsurfer to exceed 100 km/h. In 2015, still on the same spot, he set a new record, 53.27 knots. July 17, 2020, he averaged 43.04 knots over one nautical mile in La Palme, France.
He was also named Sailor of the Year by the French Sailing Federation in 2010.
Breaking the absolute speed record on the water
If he stops competing, Antoine Albeau will continue to work on his sailing speed record project, the Zephyr Project . The idea is to exceed 65 knots, the absolute record, held by the "boat" Vestas Sailrocket . He keeps his sailing school on the island of Ré, founded by his father, and will continue to participate in professional events and projects.
