Dear all,

You have probably noticed that I have not been blogging very actively in here for a while. This is because I have launched a new website. Please click on the link below to enter the new site and read about my stories from Maui. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

www.sebastiankornum.com

Yesterday I got crowned as Danish champion in formula windsurfing. I am super happy about this as it was my first year in the senior class, and I had been looking forward to finally beat these senior guys in Denmark :-)

The event was going on for two days and we had pretty strong onshore wind between 18-25 knots both days. Almost all competitors were using 10.0.  I was super fast with 10,7 RS:R EVO 4 and just had to avoid big mistakes on the course to win races. The first day was not a good day for me as I made stupid mistakes that I usually never make. I was vey annoyed about this as I really had the speed on the course. After the first day I was in 2^nd position only 2 points behind event leader Brian Røgild. On the second and last day, I was only using 10,7 the whole day and won 3 of 4 races, which just secured my title.

After this event I also got the title as combined Formula and Slalom Danish champion, due to my second place in the slalom nationals. There are no more big competitions for me this year, and I am very happy to end the season with great success. The last two months has just been unreal and I am look forward to see if I can make it even better in 2013.

The PWA Kia Cold Hawaii World Cup is just about to begin. This weekend warmed up with a few events and one of them was a long distance race from Vorupør to Klitmøller. Once again it was a race between Kitesurfers and windsurfers. I was afraid that the kitesurfers would be faster on the approximately 15 kilometer reach, but it seemed like they also were struggling to go fast in the 3 meter waves and 25 knots of wind.

I was using NP 6,4m2 on JP Slalom 64. This was the perfect setup in the very choppy conditions and I managed to finish with a 4 minutes gab to the 2nd rider who was kitesurfer.

Check out the action from danish television: http://www.tvmidtvest.dk/nettv/?id=18141

Sebastian Kornum #1 Formula Lightweight in the world

20-year-old Sebastian Kornum has entered the podium many times before in his young career. He has a.o. two youth world titles and numerous national and Nordic titles.

But according to the blond Dane, it felt better than ever, when he finished 8^th in the pro packed fleet and was announced as the world’s fastest lightweight at the Formula Worlds in Latvia.

107 windsurfers from 24 nations took part in the Formula Worlds in Liepaja, Latvia, that turned out to be one of the most successful events ever in the Formula history.

The large fleet was split into two qualifying groups with each four qualifying races, making a gold fleet with the 54 best. Sebastian had no trouble qualifying for the gold fleet with constant results around top 10.

Many well known top riders found it more difficult to be top 54. Lots of new and very fast riders have entered the Formula scene lately, among them several experienced RS:X sailors, and that made it a challenge to finish even in the best half of the fleet.

“It was my first Formula Worlds as senior and I was prepared to fight for every single meter on the course. I made quite conservative starts opposite to my usual style where I often win a lot by going for the risky position, but I had lots of respect for the top riders in the fleet. At least in the beginning. Starting in the middle of the line – and with 10.7 sail where most pro riders use 12.0 I had to be very focused on the upwind angle and on the tactics, and it seemed to work quite well.”

“My JP Formula Power with NeilPryde Racing EVO4 goes extremely well upwind and I rounded the first mark several times in the top 3” - says Sebastian and continues: “Many riders on other board brands seemed confused about their boards and chose older models before the event, but I knew that my JP Power is fast in all conditions so I was totally relaxed on the choice of board”.

“I was clearly going faster and faster each day of the event, probably because I learned a lot, and also got more relaxed and motivated when I saw that I could actually catch up with the best. One Formula sailor that has always inspired me, is my team friend Micah Buzianis who is no doubt one of the best in the world. We had good battles on the course and I am sure he is still better than me overall, but his friendly words to me after the races – even after I had beaten him – certainly proves that he is a great sportsman, and they motivated me a lot. I was also happy to see that a lot of other competitors commented my sailing with positive words.”

74,9 kilos said the scale. A hundred grams more, and the title as the world’s fastest Formula lightweight would have gone to Poland’s Mroczynski Wojciech instead. Sebastian’s normal body weight is 73 kilos but because of the FW Worlds, he had gained as much weight as possible. After returning to Denmark, he will go back to normal body weight and focus on the next big event – the PWA World Cup in the home spot Klitmøller.

And the future plans for the young Dane?

“I will focus on windsurfing for the next couple of years, but I don’t believe in a career as a full time pro windsurfer. In order to finance my lifestyle I will work hard for my external sponsorships and also help Neilpryde Scandinavia with their work on the sport. That means club demos, sales presentations, promo work on websites and a number of events for kids throughout the season. I will also coach other windsurfers who may be interested”.

Facts:

Sebastian Kornum DEN 24

Sponsors: JP-Australia, NeilPryde, Volvo, Rose, Quiksilver, WileyX

20 years old

175 cm / 74,9 kilos

2 times youth world champ (Slalom and Formula)

Best lightweight in Formula Worlds 2012

Last night I came home from the super successful Volvo Surf Cup 2012.

We had 6 formula races and 4 slalom eliminations with competitors from many countries. The organization did an amazing job once again and I really enjoyed competing!!

In the end I finished 3rd but in a tiebreak with 2nd, Sebastian Kördel. I really didn't expect a podium position so I was very happy and stoked.

Today I go to Bornholm for one week to promote windsurfing on the island. I really look forward to this adventure and hope to find some good swell over there. :-)

Check out some pictures from the German Championships 2012 here!