I'm proud that I was able to ride so far up front. The conditions were really great for me!" The then 18-year-old student was beaming after finishing 6th at the 2019 DWC season finale in Kellenhusen, where he even managed a third place in one race behind Nico Prien and Gunnar Asmussen. "After this season finale, I'm looking forward to next year all the more. Then hopefully I'll really hit the ground running," beamed Leopold Senst. After a very short 2020 Covid season with just three regattas, we spoke to the talented youngster to find out what happened.
In 2020, not much was possible with a take-off. What went wrong for you?
First a double start at the Formula Foil World Championship and the iQFOiL European Championship in Silvaplana, then the only German Windsurf Cup in Hohenfelde.
Only three regattas, can you develop at all?
Not really, but you learn with every race and gain experience in a wide variety of situations.
Without a race, there was plenty of time to practise on the foil board. Alone or in a group?
I'm in the Werder windsurfing club on the Großer Zernsee near Potsdam. There is a junior training programme every Friday afternoon. As the only foil racer in Werder, I was usually only able to concentrate on manoeuvres and speed. However, training in Kiel-Schilksee is now much more effective with my training partners Fabian Wolf and Lars Poggemann.
You've invested a lot in your sporting future, moved from Potsdam to Kiel in 2020 and are now training there under DSV sailing coach Patrick Böhmer in the men's team. Are you hoping for a call-up to the DSV junior squad?
Yes, I have developed very well this year and have the right skills to succeed in this sport.
A flat in Kiel, maintenance, being mobile. How do you finance all this?
At the moment, my parents are still supporting me. However, I am still looking for sponsors for the future.
When, where and how did you get into windsurfing?
I come from a family of sailors, my father and grandfather were both very successful in sailing, I can sail a bit myself, but the sport is too slow for me and I simply did a course on holiday in 2015 and was immediately hooked.
You decided to forgo a classic training programme such as the Techno 293 and went straight for the slalom board.
I was fascinated by speed, then came slalom and formula racing.
You were one of the first to switch to a foil board.
In 2018, I took part in Vincent Langer's Kids Camp on Lake Garda, where I was also able to test a foil board. I then competed in the DWC in Grömitz.
What is your fascination with foil?
There is nothing more beautiful than flying, it is the perfect harmony with the natural forces of water and air and in combination with the speed and the simultaneous silence on the water, foiling is simply addictive. And for me it's a completely different challenge to push myself in the new iQFOiL class and find the limits.
iQFOiL material costs a pretty penny. Self-financed?
I sold all my slalom equipment and used the proceeds to buy the iQFOiL material.
For your first start at major international events, you took on the Formula Foil Open World Championships and the iQFOiL European Championships in the Engadin. Didn't make it into the Gold Fleet, sobering résumé?
The Formula Foil World Championship was just a training regatta for me in preparation for the iQFOiL European Championship. I was pretty exhausted after the World Championships and unfortunately couldn't give my best at the European Championships, which took place directly afterwards. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough training before the events, but I can say that I've made a big step since then and that I'm training for the next event almost every day.
You cancelled your start at the iQFOiL International Games on Lake Garda, which were once scheduled as the World Championships. Why did you do that?
I had an injury in my knee and probably wouldn't have been able to give my all there either, so I wanted to concentrate on my recovery. It would also have been too much of a risk for me because of corona.
At 19, you still have a lot of goals. What would be the title you would like to achieve?
I have a clear goal, I want to go to the Olympic Games.
In addition to sport, you should always aim for an apprenticeship or degree programme. Do you already have any ideas?
I am currently still in the orientation phase of deciding what I would like to study.
INFO-BOX
- Age: 19 years
- Born: 7.2.2001
- Place of residencekeel
- ProfessionAthlete
- Size/weight: 192 cm/68 kilos
- Surfing since: 2015
- First regatta: 2016
- Sail numberGER 77
- Surf-Club: Windsurfing club Werder/Havel e.V.
- Regattas2019 DWC Zinnowitz 12th place Racing, DWC Sylt 11th place Racing, DWC Damp 7th place Racing, DWC Kellenhusen 6th place Racing, DWC annual ranking 7th place Racing, 2020 Formula Foil WM Silvaplana Silver Fleet 33rd place, iQFOiL EM Silvaplana Silver Fleet 23rd place, DWC Hohenfelde 8th place Foil-Racing
- Favourite spotsBaltic Sea, Kiel-Schilksee
- Favourite discipline: Foil-Racing
- SponsorsStarboard/Severne
- Instagram: @ger_77_leo
