LENNART NEUBAUER ON SHIFTYS, RIVALS AND ROOM TIDINESS!LENNART NEUBAUER ON SHIFTYS, RIVALS AND ROOM TIDINESS!Fresh from landing the Shifty Forward hed been dreaming about (and occasionally losing sleep over), we caught up with Lennart Neubauer to chat about the infamous session, his biggest rivals, Fantasy Teams and his predictions for Fuerteventura. We also tackled one of lifes more pressing questions: does Lennart live out of a suitcase and leave hotel rooms looking like a bombs hit them, or is he secretly the type to colour-coordinate his socks and hang every T-shirt in the wardrobe?WINDSURF: What triggered you to go for the Shifty Forward that day in Pozo?LENNART NEUBAUER: Its hard to point out exactly what it was. I just remember seeing a proper day in Pozoand we hadnt had many of those. Id literally lost sleep over the Shifty Forward during the past year or two. Something inside me just felt like that could be the day I landed a good one.I didnt think too long about it. It took me maybe 20 minutes, and then I just said, Okay, Im going on the water with my 4.0. It was gusting around 45 knots at that point and I just wanted to see what would happen. In my head, it was either I got completely destroyed or I landed it. There wasnt much in between.WINDSURF: Were you scared?LENNART NEUBAUER: I was definitely anxious, maybe even a bit scared, before I entered the water. Its always different when youre trying something completely new, and of course a lot can go wrong.But I also know how controlled my Shiftys are. Funnily enough, the closer I got to my gear and to the water, the calmer I felt. So yes, there was fear, but it was mainly before I got on the water.WINDSURF: What has the reaction been like?LENNART NEUBAUER: The video I uploaded got around 120,000 to 130,000 views, and there are a few more videos with 50,000, 60,000 or 70,000 views. There have also been so many comments. One thing that meant a lot to me was the respect I felt from the wave sailing community. I honestly didnt know what people would think about it, so seeing that reaction was really nice.WINDSURF: Will we see the Shifty Forward in Fuerteventura?LENNART NEUBAUER: I definitely think its more of a Gran Canaria move. Looking at the forecast for Fuerteventura, I dont think were going to get the kind of ramps you need for a Shifty Forward. So for now, I think this move will stay in Gran Canaria.WINDSURF: Have you picked yourself in the Fantasy Team?LENNART NEUBAUER: I actually havent put myself in the Fantasy Team yet. I havent really checked it out, but Ive been meaning to.Im very confident coming into Fuerteventura. Ive been coming here for many years, and even though I havent had the ideal warm-up because it hasnt really been windy in Fuerte, Ive been sailing my ass off in Gran Canaria. I feel like I know where I stand with my training compared to the other guys and that gives me a lot of confidence.WINDSURF: When you arrive at your accommodation at a hotel, do you unpack straight away and put all your clothes in the wardrobe or live out of your bag?LENNART NEUBAUER: I love this question.Usually, the first day the whole place becomes a complete mess. I arrive, it might be windy, or I want to catch up with friends, so I just throw everything down and dont unpack properly.Then I sleep on it, and the next morning I organise everything, clean up the room, and try to keep it that way for the rest of the trip.WINDSUR: Who do you fear most in Fuerteventura?LENNART NEUBAUER: I wouldnt say I fear anyone, either in Fuerteventura or in general. But I do have a lot of respect for certain sailors.I have to mention Yentel. I believe hes my biggest rival. Although, saying that, Jacobo has actually beaten me more times than Yentel over the last few years. Still, in my head, Yentel has always been that main rival.Jacopo is sailing incredibly well too. I have a lot of respect for both of them and competing against sailors like that always brings out my best.WINDSURF: Who could be the surprise package at this event?LENNART NEUBAUER: I dont know if hes really a newcomer anymore, but Id say Takumi. Hes been coming here for years now, but I dont think hes had that real breakthrough onto the podium yet.I think this year he could definitely challenge for the podium places. Last year, if I remember correctly, he finished fourth.WINDSURF: Who will win between Sarah-Quita and Maaike, and why?LENNART NEUBAUER: Ive had a few sessions with Sarah-Quita in Gran Canaria, and honestly, on a good day she still looks almost unbeatable.Maaike is sailing amazingly and keeps getting better every year. I know shes had a difficult winter after suffering a concussion, so she probably hasnt been able to train as much as shed have liked.But I saw Sarah-Quita getting so close to landing the Shifty, trying loads of them and just sailing incredibly consistently. Of course, anyone can have a bad day, but if everything goes normally, Id probably pick Sarah-Quita to win.WINDSURF: Thanks a lot Lennart and good luck in Fuerte!!The post LENNART NEUBAUER ON SHIFTYS, RIVALS AND ROOM TIDINESS! appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.