We’re excited to welcome Principe Baldini to our Starboard Dream Team! Living in the south of France, the Prince of Speed finds his home spot at Plage du Rouet, La Palme. His passion lies in speed windsurfing, where he’s showing amazing dedication and power. He holds some impressive achievements already under his belt, including the European Speed Title and he is an Outright Italian Sailing Record Holder on the Nautical Mile. Are you curious about his journey into speed, the advice he would give the next generation of speed sailors and his plans for 2024? Check out the full interview below!
Hi Principe, tell us a bit about yourself. Which windsurfing discipline is your favorite and where is your home spot?
Speed sailing mostly in windsurf but also in wing is very exciting! My Home spot is Plage du Rouet at La Palme in the south of France. One of the 2 spots in the world (the other is in Namibia Walvis Bay) where we can sail the Nautical Mile.
After you learned how to windsurf, what made you fall in love with speed sailing?
I was always a fan of fast cars, windsurfing, skating, etc. I liked waves as well but the adrenaline and the satisfaction you have in speed is special.
You are the president of the International Speed Windsurfing Class. What does your day look like?
A lot of rules and a lot of mail. A great way to use the time trying to make our sport better.
What kind of events are you organizing/planning for 2024?
Between 21-30 April Prince of Speed -ISWC World Championship for Windsurf and Windsurf Foil. Probably I will be the race director so I will not take part. In June there will be the POS-World Record Attempt open to all the sail crafts with the 1st Official World Record in wing! Then from the 30th of August until the 20th of September, it will be the waiting period for the World Speed Tour Cup (Open to all the sailcrafts) and the POS-ISWC Grand Prix. There will be also a GPS Prince of Speed all year around. All these Events are in the best and most consistent Natural Spot on the Earth: La Palme.
Your main focus is Speed Sailing. What drives a speed sailor to make a new record every session?
Speed sailing is great because it helps you to escape your ghosts and face life with respect but without fear. And It is always nice to have something to look forward to. It helps to make you feel alive!
What advice would you give to a young windsurfer who is aspiring to become a successful speed sailor?
To come to sail here at Rouet (La Palme) and have a look at the good riders. Put small goals and achieve them step-by-step. In this way, there will come experience, knowledge and speed!
The speed equipment is very high performance. Do the details of the equipment settings make a big difference or is it more about the technique of sailing?
Kind of both. A great sailor cannot achieve the World Record with average equipment. Perfect equipment can help an average sailor to go very fast. But not enough for the world record (at the moment). I mean, to reach a big achievement you need the perfect conditions, the perfect equipment and to be a great knight.
How does the weight of a sailor affect the performance? Some sailors use the extra weight, some don’t. Can you explain what is allowed in the competition and how the extra weight affects the result?
By rules, the sailor has to float. So if you put 20kgs of extra weight and you float it is fine. Almost everybody uses a weight jacket. The weight is very important during the gusts to keep speed. The next important is also the leverage. A 2m tall person is way better the 1.80 and long arms help too!
