Danish-born Björn Dunkerbeck has done it all in windsurfing. In the first part of this exclusive interview from the recent PWA Super Grand Slam event on the German island of Sylt, we asked Dunki about his 2009 season and his stellar career.
How would you describe this PWA season?
Pretty good, as we had a good wind blowing in all contests this year. And finishing second in the Sylt event, winning the very last slalom final, was good motivation for next year – as was third place on the world tour!
What did you expect on Sylt?
My plan was to win, but I had to settle for second. Other than that, we had a very good wind for all three disciplines – slalom, wave and freestyle.
Sylt is a pretty special place. What makes it so good for windsurfing?
It makes for difficult windsurfing as it’s cold and windy, so it’s hard but good. There are also lots of spectators. There were more than 100,000 during the week.
How do you think that windsurfing has changed over the last few years?
I think that better windsurfing equipment has made it easier to do. Anyone can learn in a few hours. The great success of SUP [stand-up paddle] has also helped to make windsurfing a lot of fun, even in light wind conditions, and people can get back on the water in no wind. In the world cup, there are more specialists in every discipline, rather than in the mid ’80s until the ’90s where mostly everyone did all disciplines!
John Carter/Red Bull Photofiles
You and Robby Naish [pictured, left] are the legends in windsurfing, but who do you think are the future champions among the young talents in the sport?
I think there are many more great talents in every discipline these days, so it will be interesting to see who is going to be the next big one. But to become a legend, you need to be winning for many years One or two titles is just not enough!
And do you think anyone can dominate the sport again like you did in the 1980s and 1990s?
No, I don’t think so, but I sure hope someone will prove me wrong!
"I won 12 times overall in a row from 1988–99"
Is it true that, with so many world titles, you hold the world record for the number of titles of any sportsman? That’s some achievement!
I guess so… I have been told this!
How many is it now?
I won 12 times overall in a row from 1988–99 with 33 first places in different disciplines, plus four more since then… so, 37.
You also hold that open ocean speed record over 500m. What kind of winds were blowing for you to get up to that speed? [Björn achieved 82.91kph (44.77 knots) in September 2008 in Luderitz, Namibia.]
The wind was only about 35–40 knots [65–74kph]. It’s possible to windsurf a lot faster in better water and wind conditions. I also still hold the windsurf record for a nautical mile [1.85km] at 41.19 knots [76.2kph].
Check out the second part of our interview with Björn tomorrow, when we ask him where exactly he is from – and where his life is going…
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