Ben van der Steen

Name: Ben van der Steen

Sail number: NED57

Disciplines: Slalom, Speed, Formula.

Best results: 3rd in PWA 2012, IFCA World Champion 2009

Sponsors: Gaastra, Starboard  Mystic, Different.

What made you decide to change for 2013?

It’s been great racing on the Lofts but the negotiations didn’t run smoothly and it was time for change. I was looking for a bit more off a long term thing to really work with a brand without the stress at the end of the season and with Gaastra we found a solution for a longer term agreement together with very good sails and this is the way to continue for me.

What new companies are supporting you, and how did their support come about?

Starboard with the windsurfing boards after a good season in 2011 they took me up in the team for racing and for R&D.

Gaastra with windsurfing sails booms and mast after two good years of solid results they picked me up into the team to race alongside Ross and I will work with the guys on the racing designs.

Mystic with wetsuits harnesses and all accessories; I have been with them for more then five years now and I really like what they stand for and their vision on the sports they support.

Different with sunglasses; I am currently working with them on my own model which will come out soon and will be something that’s never been done before

Ben van der Steen

Ben van der Steen

What are you plans for 2013?

Of course I will be doing the whole PWA slalom tour and some GPS speed where I can and maybe Luderitz if it looks like it will happen. I will be doing some clinics around Europe as well to help people with their rigging and sailing skills. Apart from that I am sure I will go to some promo events and visit some places and some shops here and there.

What equipment will you be using and why?

The Starboard 90 107 127 iSonic 2013 I will be

in the waves.

registering for PWA as these are the boards I like the most for my personal sailing style. For speed I have the speed-specials 49 and 44, also I have the formula 167 and for some wave riding the nuEVO 93 and KodeWave82. I will have the full quiver of the Gaastra Vapor for racing and speed and have a couple off the power wave Poison wave sails.

What are you goals for competition this year?

The goal with competition should be to win ! So I will do my very best on the racecourse!! The goal is at least the same as 2012 or better.

Ben van der Steen, sky high on Gaastra.

Opening this featurette is none other than Philip Koester who has been nominated alongside the likes of Sebastien Vettel in the category of sports personality of the year by the German channel – Sport1. It’s a pretty big achievement to just reach that short-list, let alone win it, so Koester will no doubt be elated with the result so far. To check out all who are in contention head over to this link here, where you can also cast your vote.

Koester doing what he does best!

Heading on to flat water and over to UK freestyler Max Rowe, recent news snippets tell us that a video from his trip to Jeri is on it’s way and that Blacklab’s very own Josh Willmot will be producing the goods. We are pretty excited to see the outcome, after some of Josh’s recent clips. Rowe also seems pretty stoked to have made it into the new North brochure with this awesome Chachoo shot.

Transfers are hot news around this time of the year and it is not too much of a surprise to see them coming in, however Ben van der Steen’s move to Gaastra seemed to have caused a bit of a stir, but by the sounds of it he is happy with the change and looks forward to less time actually testing and more time tuning his kit to enable him to grab the world title that he is so close to.