Back to the 2017 World Championship in Salou (Spain), it's Jean-Baptiste François' (CN Angoulins) turn to give us a review of this championship where he came away with a fine 12th place.
Jean-Baptiste François - Photo credit: Planchemag
Jean-Baptiste, great world ranking, 12th! We saw you on the videos, very explosive at the start. Are you specially prepared for this World Cup?
I wasn't able to sail much beforehand, but I think that's the case for a lot of those who were there and who are ahead. I did a bit of physical preparation to be able to last 5 days of racing.
Your impressions of the race. Was it difficult to get into the top 10 in one race? How did it go on the water? The level?
I'd have liked to get into the top 10, but I didn't manage to do much better. The top 6 were really on top, with a lot of speed in the meadow (that's what I missed because my starts weren't too bad). I made quite a few mistakes too, not always starting with the best.
Ups and downs in this rather lightwind championship?
Fairly regular overall, but it's a shame we didn't have a bit more wind. Even on the last day in stronger winds, a very complicated stretch of water with big shifts and wind between 6 and 16 knots.
French champion in 2015, a little unlucky last year when you were on the podium in the last two rounds. Will we see you in Brest for the 2017 French championship to play for the title?
Yes, I'll be there in Brest, and a regatta like this week's gives us plenty of motivation to train and progress.
Thanks Jean-Baptiste and see you soon on the water.
