Koen Sonck on “why i love formula ..”

“Many people have asked me why I keep on doing formula and why I am so in favour for that discipline.”

Forsure very interesting and challenging, but besides that, there is the rush you get when racing and surfing on the border.

The sensation is hard to describe: the minutes before the start, taking position,……, green flag and you’re off. Looking to the left, to the right, keeping an eye on your opponents and try to beat them by giving all you ‘ve got. The combination of men and machine. Very similar like car racing, but instead of a very expensive car, we use a construction that makes us fly between water and the sky, carried and pushed by the wind at the same time. Barely touching water. The speed feeling is very high. Up wind, down wind; with a formula kit you can do it all! 20-30 minutes of pure adrenaline, it is an addiction that I can’t do without.

The formula class is strong. The fact that on the last AGM, no changes were voted is a proof of that. The formula concept works and has proven itself. A simple box rule (1/3/3, 100.5, 12.5, 2y registration) that keeps cost down but at the same time allowing still some room for development and tuning. Among the top racers in the world, we see a weight spread of over 20kg! Another proof that the box rule is working. It is great to see that most people can do with 2 or even 1 sail and that 2y or 3y old board are still competitive.”

“Formula, I love it! “

Koen Sonck (BEL 2) this year regained the Belgian Formula title he lost in 2007..

How does this 37 year old master stay at the top of his game?

“To win a race, you need to work on 5 elements ……….

“Good equipment is a 1st element and thanks to my sponsors Exocet, Gaastra and Select, I have that one covered.

2nd is your optimal trim. With the wrong trim, you will kill your performance while the correct trim will make you fly. Finding the best trim is not always that easy and there are a lot of parameters working together: board (strap & mast position), fin (type, rake, flex and twist), sail (size, downhaul & outhaul tension, battens), boom (height and harness position & length).

A lot of time on the water, good analyzing skills and an understanding on how the different parameters work together will help you in the right direction. And don’t forget: new is not always better. People are changing gear to often just at the moment they have got to know it.

A 3rd element is your physical condition, the degree of fitness. This will translate itself in your ability to sail on the edge and hold it, the ability to pump you quickly back on the plane after a tack or jibe, the ability to keep up the performance also in the last race of the day and avoid cramps. At almost 38, this is becoming the most difficult thing, since to keep the same level, you need to train more and more while at the same time not stressing too much to avoid injuries. Work and family is also not always making things easy, a good balance is a must if you want to succeed on all areas. Every year, I’m going down to the south of France (Almenarre) with the family for 4 to 5 week “training” holiday. You can almost compare it to a booth camp: let the engine turn at full speed by daily windsurfing, biking and swimming. Due to the temperatures you don’t eat that much and the healthy Mediterranean cuisine will help to. The last years, I managed to loose around 5 to 6 kilos and increase my muscle percentage when returning home.

The brain is the 4th element. Good racing tactics can get you in the lead even if your opponents have better board speed or angle. Think about your tactics before the start. Look to the racing course, wind shifts and currents and try to get the most out of them. Some experience will help, but you will be surprised about what you can find on the web.

Last but not least, the most important 5th element: motivation & dedication. To get 1,2,3,4 done, you need a lot of nr 5.

It is the combination of these 5 elements that make racing so exciting and interesting. It also explains why unlike in other sports, in windsurfing (slalom, formula and speed) “older guys” can still keep up with the younger generation. You can see this on national and international level. Phil McCain, Bjorn Dunckerbeck and Steven Allen are only some of the examples.”

Koen Sonck BEL-2

ksonck@telenet.be