October 26, 2014
Ever since the European Freestyle Pro Tour was founded we have been excited to welcome back the best European freestyle riders year by year, yet also really happy to welcome new promising talents to the international stage of windsurfing competition. Jannes Thomsen (Sailloft/Patrik) is one of them. We had some words with the up an coming sailor from Northern Germany.
EFPT: Jannes can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Jannes: Right, I live in Kollmar a small village close to Hamburg. With the river Elbe I have a surf spot directly in front of my doorstep. That’s where and why I learned windsurfing.
I’m now 20 years old and I just finished my A-level exams this summer. Now I’m taking a year off to travel a bit during winter and get some time on the water. Therefore I’m trying to earn some money at the moment. 😉
EFPT: Amongst the riders who had their summer training in Fuerteventura you are known for your big air-skopus and a high variety of other power moves. What is your favorite maneuver and what are you training at the moment?
Jannes: There are many moves that I really like to do but I think the shaka is my favorite!
Besides trying to do everything faster and higher I am training flaka-shakas and kabikuchis at the moment.
Jannes with a burner
EFPT: Did you compete in national freestyle windsurfing events before? What is your best result?
Jannes: Yes, with the German Freestyle Battles it has become quite easy and uncomplicated to take part in a freestyle competition in Germany. Hence I competed a few times in the German Freestyle Battles. Beside that I also took part in some smaller competitions in Germany. My best result so far was a 5th place at the German Freestyle Battle in Lemkenhafen 2013.
EFPT: Who is your favorite freestyle windsurfer and why?
Jannes: I don’t have a favorite windsurfer in particular but I really like to watch footage from the Bonairian guys like Kiri, Taty, Tonky…. They have such a nice style and especially after watching “Children of the Wind” I am pretty impressed with what they achieved.
EFPT: Who inspires you and who do you like to sail with?
Jannes: People who sail better than me inspire me! Seeing videos of them or being on the water together is exciting it motivates me to try new stuff! I really enjoy sailing with my friends around my home spots! We always have so much fun messing around on and off the water…
Jannes on the 2014 Sailloft Quad
EFPT: You will have your debut on the European Freestyle Pro Tour at the final event in France and compete against big names like Steven Van Broeckhoven (JP/Neilpryde), Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard) and Adrien Bosson (North/Fanatic) just to name a few. What do you expect from this competition?
Jannes: I expect to get an idea of how it is to attend an international competition, besides I think it’s going to be a lot of fun to be on the water with these guys.
EFPT: Did you prepare for this competition and if yes how?
Jannes: I didn’t specifically prepare myself for this competition. I try to be on the water as much as possible anyway. Also I try to sail in different conditions in order to land my moves in every condition.
EFPT: Which gear will you use?
Jannes: I will be using the Quads from Sailloft Hamburg and a Patrik Diethelm FreeStyle 99. That gear works perfectly fine for me in pretty much all kinds of conditions so it will be my choice!
EFPT: Is there anything you would like to add?
Jannes: I’m really looking forward to this competition. I hope it is going to be warm and windy! So see you in Six Fours !
Watch Jannes and his friends freestyling at one of the amazing flat spots in the North of Germany:
impalaspockundflaka from cappu ccino on Vimeo.
