JC: What has it been like the last few years when you have not been winning so much?
BD: I must say the wind limit has gone way too far down for my tastes. I think it is really sad. Slalom is supposed to be an action sport. I’ve been up there at the top every time we have had a competition with stronger winds. Last year we had 95% 9.6m underpowered, this year was a bit better and I hope for the other guys the coming years will have some proper events with decent wind. Light winds, 7-10 knots, when you are 100 kilos you don’t have much chance. All the lighter guys race on the same size board I would be on, a 130L and obviously if you are 10-15 kilos lighter, accelerating out of the gybes is a no brainer. That’s why I have no chance anymore. After so many years at the top it is normal to lose eventually. It is not like I was up there for two years and then I was knocked off the top. When you get older, it doesn’t hurt as much to lose. I have won so many times, over one hundred world cups!
JC: Do you think you are going to miss the tour?
BD: Well first of all I did over 200 world cup races. Second I will still be doing some long distance competition so I am not shutting down from full on to full off! I will be building the Dunkerbeck speed challenge. The idea with that is to have it at places where the conditions will be good. I will be sailing in strong winds and flat waters for many years to come. I don’t see myself quitting competing ever. I just had to say enough was enough with slalom. Now I can focus on other aspects of windsurfing. That is one of the joys of windsurfing. It has got so many different ranges, wave sailing, slalom, freestyle, speed sailing, long distance and just going out there and having a great time with your friends and family which happens especially for me. I can go sailing with my father who is 71 years old and I can sail with my son Liam who is ten and a half and have a great time as well.
JC: Was the title you won in 2011 riding for Starboard and Severne one of your highlights?
BD: That one really meant a lot to me. First of all when I signed up with Severne I said that winning the title back was my goal. I went from being third to second to first over three years. It was a kind of three year plan and even the year after I was second and almost managed to win it again. But that was only almost! It was a great feeling. I knew I had it in me. I worked really hard with Ben Severne, Remi Vila and Svein Rasmussen who was supporting the whole situation from the Starboard side obviously. I have to really thank Victor Couto my friend and helper who has been around me for the last twelve years. Obviously my wife and my kids as well for supporting me as well from home and at events. Also anyone else who helped make Starboard and Severne the winning team.