A Few Words by Anders Bringdal

I'm from Stockholm, Sweden, and I've been windsurfing for 24 years. For 17 years I've been a pro. I've been amateur world champion and I've been pro world champion a few times. There are only a few titles I haven't managed to claim, e.g. th World Overall Champion title and the Speed Record title. Due to the change of disciplines and other reasons the overall title for me has lost it’s appeal. The speed title is something that is more interesting. The only reason why the windsurfers stopped chasing the record was due to the fact that it was increasingly hard to find organizers to hold events in areas where the wind is strong enough and water conditions good for speed. Obviously, it was a money question as well. Seeing that Björn and Peter have taken matters into their own hands organizing this Speed challenge I was only too happy when I was invited to participate. I've been busy for two years launching my board brand AB+ boards and to be able to go back in the water with the goal of breaking the record is not only fun but also very challenging. I also look forward to be able to compete with Bjorn and Robby like in the old days. It almost feels like an old class reunion. After I had received the invitation in 2003 my partner and shaper Maurizio Ubaldi and I were working on some speed boards fit to go fast. I built all my boards in the AB+ production factory the same way we do our production prototype boards. Then with the added + of having all design work and construction in house I hope to have some interesting combinations to be launched soon. We are also working on fin designs and production to be able to match them with the boards. Concerning sails: I have switched sails and am now riding with Neil Pryde sails. There is not much to say about them exempt for that they are f ….. fast and in many ways I wonder if I would have had a different career if I had stayed on Pryde.