Hello Patrik, can you introduce yourself ?

Hi. My name is Patrik Pollak and got into windsurfing thru the downhill skiing about 35years. What was first the summer alternative to winter activity become quickly main focus. Coming from the country with no see behind the iron curtain it was a slow and gradual process to get from the local lakes to my first Olympic participation in 1996 in Atlanta Olympic Games. Addicted to wind from day1 I have been trying all possible ways to sail with sail and wing summer and winter long time before it got popular (wing).

Being located at the other end of Europe compared to France, could you tell us a bit about raceboard practice in Slovakia and East of Europe ?

We had strong raceboard fleet in the end of 90’s when Mistral OD was Olympic class. new sports like kite, formula ws, foil or wing divided the community to smaller groups. But since we have only lakes in Slovakia with limited wind conditions longboard sailing is the only way to sail regularly on the weekend bases. While many parts of windsurfing which became quickly popular quickly disappear Racebooard was always here. We have weekend races with a fleet of 20-30 competitors. I am very lucky that fleet at home is really strong and we have very good competitors for all conditions which keep me motivated all the time.

Since 2023, you have been the President of the International Class, succeeding Paul Leone who held the position for many years. Are you continuing along the same lines, or are you aiming for specific changes within the class?

I have my own visions,  but I think they are all copying the principle of uniting and serving. Principles setup by Ceri Williams. I am trying to stabilize the class when it comes to equipment and open the cooperation between federations in member countries. We have a great community of experienced windsurfers. My aim is to educate and inspire the youth a present them “old school” of sport competition. School of hard fair racing on water but respect on beach. School that does not define the value of people only by their result in the single race. I want to attract the youth to our sport thru fun and freedom of everyday windsurfing. Not thru the 15min of fame they can achieve.

You started the season very well, being very competitive at the Masters Worlds and the European Championships. Do you take vitamins for such success, or do you have other secrets?

Masters Worlds were on my home playground, which is always a little advantage in windsurfing. As I already mentioned I have a good fleet at home which motivates me to sail better every day. We had a good wind conditions this year and both event were held on the lakes where my experience counts. No real secrets. I try to stay fit sail as much as possible and learn something new every day.

A word to introduce your quiver to race ?

I did not do any changes to my quiver since last years worlds. I am on R1 board with loftsails. Using ULW for most of conditions, when it gets really windy I switch to old Raceboard HW. My aim this year was to work on setup for different wind and waves conditions. First I try to make best of the gear I have only then I try to make some changes. With loftsails team we work hard on developing the new sails. This year I will be the reference point… J

The World Championship in Mandelieu is approaching—what does this spot inspire in you? Do you know it well?

I did not compete in Mandelieu before, but south of France to me has a scent of spring babul three, memories of mistral from SOF in Hyeres where I spent a lot of Easter time. I don’t think I ever been in south of France in fall so I am looking forward to it and I hope we get variety of conditions for the worlds.

This year’s World Championship in Mandelieu will be highly competitive, with a strong group of top riders already registered, all capable of winning. How do you envision this championship from a sporting perspective?

No doubt it will be great event with 10+ great windsurfers there able to win races. I hope we have all the wind conditions because I see universality as my biggest strength. I hope I will be be ready to show my best during the event. If that will be enough for medal or 10th place I can only wonder. As always I will try to do my best and whatever happens happens

We have already surpassed 110 registered participants, and we might reach more than 130 for the event. The U21 youth fleet is close to 30 entries. What is your view on youth participation and what developments should be made to attract even more young sailors and also women?

I am happy about the fact that youth and women are coming back to the fleet. Raceboard has literally no support from manufacturers when it comes to advertising. All brands are concentrating on the “newest best thing” which is at the moment making best profits for them. All the new fancy classes especially high performance are based on strategy of “if you want to play you have to pay” which I truly hate. Best gear in Raceboard is not cheap that is for sure but you can enter the game for the reasonable price and if you see guys like Radim kicking our ass and winning races on 30+ year old board you understand that it is about much more then just expensive gear. I think youth starts to see that and thanks to enthusiast like Fred in France or Paco in Spain many get opotrtunity to try it. Once they see the price vs fun vs versality ratio in raceboard they are hooked. At the moment there is also not many options for the youth that goes thru Techno programme to continue in windsurfing for reasonable cost in environment of fun and fair racing.  I hope we can attract them and grow class stronger. Once we have a reasonable number of youth I believe the snowball effect will do the rest.

Would you like to add anything else?

Air to breathe wind to live, see you in Cote d’Azur

PATRIK