"It's like winning the lottery!"
After six out of seven World Cup rounds Steven Van Broeckhoven (25) has got his hands on the world title and is doing what no one before ever thought possible. The Limburger learnt to windsurf on the infrequently wind-free Vossemeren and still became the first Belgian to win the freestyle discipline. No one can jump tricks without waves like he can. But Stevens' race to the title had a false start with a knee injury during the first round in Vietnam. Of the five rounds which followed he won three and was second twice. The competition from Bonaire and Venezuela was not able to keep pace during the last competition in the German Sylt.
"It's like winning the lottery, It'll take some time before it really hits me," laughs Steven just before he is awarded his umpteenth cup in Fuerteventura. "Don't ask me how I do it. We are all of a very similar level at the top and I beat all the big fish from Bonaire even on their home water. I know what I can do and what the jury wants to see but I never dreamt I would actually win the title." Steven remains typically self-effacing about his outstanding performance. His biggest competitors were born with their feet on a windy beach. Very different from the Limburg Vossemeren where Steven first dipped his toes. He has to drive for two hours if he wants to get better wind. In Steven's own words "Yes, it requires a lot of perseverance, passion and above all a lot of kilometres but I have now proven that Belgians can compete at the very highest level." In 2009, just two years ago, Steven took part in the full world tour for the first time and was immediately ranked fifth, in 2010 he moved up a place. Last winter he trained in the most diverse circumstances imaginable from the South African breakers to the even surface of the Red Sea. "I think this variation is the best strategy and a great way of staying on the ball. When I'm home in Lommel I lead a very quiet life, so that I am ready to head off again at the drop of a hat. I am very good at charging my batteries and power has become my trademark," says the newly crowned champion. "Last year I even discovered a trick. Since then others can do it too but I'm still the best." The world title will help Steven make a huge step forward because building up a career as a windsurfer is far from easy. "I can travel the world thanks to sponsors such as O'Neill, but it is only really my prize money that pays the bills and I wouldn't say I make a fortune. Things are already looking better for next year but fortunately I prefer windsurfing for pleasure rather than for the money," concludes the world number one.