more body & mind Print 2.0
en.redbulletin.com/print2.0 A portrait of a surfing superstar
Hangar-7 Interview
Björn Dunkerbeck He’s dubbed ‘The Terminator’ by rivals, such has been his dominance of the Windsurfing World Cup for so many years. But back on dry land, he’s a nice, relaxed guy, not a surfing robot. Just don’t tell the competition…
red bulletin: Looked like you were having fun talking to Sebastian Vettel. Was it Formula One chat? Or was it windsurfing? bjÖrn dunkerbeck: Sebastian wants to surf with me once the season’s over. he’s already been to robby naish’s place on Maui, so now it’s my turn to teach him something. and it’d be good for him too. it’ll beef up his arms. You both love speed. What’s the fastest you’ve ever surfed? the top speed i’ve reached on the open sea is 47.9 knots. That’s almost 55mph (88kph). How does it feel? you’re not surfing at that speed. you’re just flying through the water. it’s all happening on wild waves. anyone can drive at speed on the motorway, but try going fast on a gravel path. that’s exactly what speedsurfing on the open sea feels like. When you’re not surfing, you like to whizz around on your mountain bike 78
Björn Dunkerbeck at Hangar-7: He may not be intending to drive the car behind him but he’s made plans with Sebastian Vettel to take him out for a spot of windsurfing
or snowboard or go spear-fishing. Do you ever slow down? Sure, when i play with my kids. and i have to recharge my batteries when they’re empty. But i’m not the kind of guy who can sit and watch paint dry. So you’re easily bored? no. i’m always doing something. apart from when i’m waiting for my wife, Maria, when we’re going out.
Wave machine: Björn is aiming to achieve speeds of 62mph (100kph)
A trip to Hangar-7 always means you’re going to enjoy excellent food. What’s the best you’ve ever eaten? Whatever’s in front of me after five hours’ windsurfing. OK, on a regular day? i eat as healthily as possible: vegetables, fish, salad. But i eat meat too. And are you a dab hand in the kitchen? i’m brilliant at barbecuing, but normally i leave the cooking to Maria. You’re on the road a lot. Do you take the family with you? yeah. My eldest daughter, alba, is seven now and has been to Maui seven times. liam is a year younger, so he’s been six times. they go everywhere with me. What gets their attention? they love watersports. i already surf up to 25mph (40kph) with liam on a tandem board. he’s getting an uncanny feel for the board and loves the speed. Your father’s Dutch, mother’s Danish and wife’s Spanish. What are you? i’ve got a Dutch passport, but would say i consider myself european.
PhotograPhy: PhiliPP horack (1) Björn DunkerBeck (1)
today, hangar-7 in Salzburg is neither restaurant nor museum; it looks more like a central railway station at rush hour. Film crews set up cameras, microphones and lights among the guests. an ad is being filmed here on top of the regular preparations being made for the weekly live chat show broadcast on ServustV. and in the middle of all this chaos, two superstars sit calmly, talking and laughing. until duty calls, that is, when the smaller, slighter one, Sebastian Vettel, is hauled before the camera. the other, a six-foot-four giant, Björn Dunkerbeck, prepares to be interviewed…