DEUTSCH
Being a German on the PWA tour helps a lot since it is one of the biggest markets in windsurfing. Having a German team rider gaining coverage in German magazines is a massive benefit to a brand, so very windsurfing company wants a top German rider, that’s just the way it is! I am pretty sure that is why Philip Koester changed his sail number from Spanish to German. That move gave him huge opportunities in terms of sponsorship. When Germany has a world champion it does not matter what sport it is, the media jump on it and make that person a star. That is what has happened to Koester. If he had been a Spanish world champion I am not sure if he would have made the same money or reeled in all that outside support. He gets invited onto the massive Saturday night sports shows on German TV and that is what you need to bring windsurfing forward and bring in the sponsors. The fact he rides for Germany is definitely positive for the sport; he reaches more people and helps bring windsurfing into the limelight.