JC: For every champion crowned, somebody else has to lose that title. This time round it was Philip Koester who had to hand over the crown, with Alex Mussolini so close behind in second. How did his fellow competitors handle the situation?
MB: Yeah Philip was super cool and he congratulated me. I felt bad for him because I know he had a bad injury. He got a leg infection. I hope he’s ok now. I want to go sailing with him. He sent me a nice message, and it was cool to hear from him. He was unlucky at the event you know. I know he sails a lot better than what his heats showed. He’s an amazing windsurfer and I know it’s just a matter of a year or two until he’s going to kick ass in Maui. He had an infection, he was on antibiotics and it seemed like things were playing against him. I think he was fine with the pressure. His leg was more the issue, it was really swollen. When you’re taking antibiotics for so many days it probably makes you feel dizzy. He told me the night before he was cheering for me, he was really nice. That was cool! Alex was also a gracious loser after that final heat. We both knew we could win the title – and nobody deserved it more than Musso – he’s been sailing for so many years and that guy rips. I have so much respect for him as a sailor. I’m happy it worked out my way, but it wouldn’t have been wrong if he’d won and I had to take second.