Bio: I can’t stand habits, I have to move, change quite often! I have to see the ocean once a day at least, I could live on an little island of Brittany.. I love the sun and hot water but I also love the cold, the snow, having a big pull over near a fire!..

Kiter.com: You just won the Women’s KPTW tour for the second year in a row. Going into the season did you think you would be able to repeat last years win?

Fabienne:  No! Really,. I did the best I could, but toward the girls and their level going higher and higher, I was really worried!! They gave me a hard time!

Was it more competitive in 2002 than last year?

YES!  more girls on the events, so a better level.      
   

Which riders have been the biggest competition for you?

On the KPWT, Petra, Hagitz and Laurel, on the PKRA, all the girls in front of me!!! Cindy, Ingrid, laurel, Fiona, Anke, Sheldon, ...

How many PKRA events did you do this year and how well did you do on the PKRA tour?

I did 2 events: Cabarete, 5^th place, and Fuerte ventura, 4^th place. I did not go on the others events because of work! So on the overall classment, I’m 7^th.

Do you plan to do both tours next year?

This is THE question!! And this will be the surprise! May be a third title??! I will try to do the more I can, but money and time will decide, but also and mostly media, prize money and destination. Anyway, both will be impossible, too expensive and too many events; i don’t forget others events as Red Bull Tarifa, King of the air Maui, Mondial du vent, French champion ship, etc....!!.

What are your training plans for this winter?

Stay  home until the end of January, then Morocco or Tarifa during one month (February) with friends, and then, may be Martinique for 10 days. And also go snowboard! Then I  will see; I have some plans, but as soon as it’s not sure,..be quiet!! Shhhhh.

You have lived in  Paris, the Caribbean, Madagascar and where else?

Paris, then Jura (on the east side of France, in the mountain, close to Switzerland), then Martinique, then south of France, then La Reunion island (close to Madagascar, but not here!), then Paris and finally Britany, on the west coast of France!!! And I guess I  (found THE place).

How did you pick Brest as your home base and how long have you been here?

I’ve been in Brest since may 2000; my friend made me discover the part of France, and  I decided to live there close to the ocean, because of the conditions but also because of the mentality, very ...true...not superficial. And I don’t mind going in the water while outside, it’s freezing; I like it because we are only few people go in the water, and I love the atmosphere.

How did you first get into kiteboarding? When did you fist try kiteboarding and how long did it take you to get through the learning curve to get upwind?

With  my boyfriend, we went to a school in June 99, and then, follow by ourselves with 2 others friends, mostly in la Torche. Then my first event was in august 2000, in Dunkerque, from the KPWT tour; it wasn’t too far, and as it was the beginning of the sport, so we wanted to see how it was; and because it was the beginning of the sport, we thought that the atmosphere would be good, open, we could learn so much!! In fact, that was the occasion to compete. And it was great, I liked it a lot, and i just continued when I could, because i was also studying. So until last year, I had two worlds: kitesurf and my studies!!

Who are your sponsors and how well are you getting along with them now? Cabrinha, Julbo, Helly Hansen, Vans and Pro Carbone.  2003 is a new year, I’m gonna see!!

What kind of gear do you ride right now and why?

I ride a twin tip Pro Carbone 1m35 * 32, because i like the way you ride it. But I would like to try again the directional, for the waves, i think it’s much more smooth, closer to the surfboard. About kite, i use the Cabrinha from the 7 to the 17m (from 2003), mostly Black Tip,.

Describe your perfect day on the water?

It would be a 20-25 knots, side, with waves, ride on starboard (I’m not sure in English!!! I mean ‘tribord’, when you ride right hand going away from the beach..) with my friends. Then, we would go have crepe and tea in a pub, or near a fire.

How would you describe your riding style?

I don’t know!! Ask people who watch me!! I just ride the way I feel, and I hope it’s smooth.  Sometimes, I hear it is!!.

What new moves are you working on right now?

All kind of blind and no foot. But, to be honest, I mostly train surfing...

What is your fitness program to stay in top condition for kiteboarding?

Not a day without sport!! Bike, walk, swim, surf, work out (at home, abdominal) and have a healthy food.

What will you do when you are done competing professionally?

Having my own business I hope. Of what and where?????? Mystery!!!

Do you have any projects in the works or goals for this season?

A lot of travel, trips and compete of course! Keep going on,

Who are the most important people in your life?

My close family and 4 friends.

What was your favorite contest in 2002?

King of the air, the red bull in Jericoacoara and Cabarete

What could be done to improve contests?

My answer will fit for some events, but not for all, it’s depends of course. First, organize events on windy places; I think the first criteria is the wind, then, sponsor media, etc..because if there is no wind, there is no kitesurf and everybody loose money and time.

second, have more accommodation for the riders, as places to sleep cheaper.

Third, have more events in the waves.

Then, i guess prize money will grow up with the sport..

Are professional kiteboarders underpaid or over paid?

I  don’t think we do this for money, but to live our passion. Money is not a goal but a help to make our dream come true and share it with the world. And if kitesurfer would be over paid, I guess it would be  known!!!!

Any advice for people just getting into the sport?

Start in a school, don’t try to start alone.

Does it seem like kiteboarding in general is catching in faster in Europe? What accounts for that?

Hum! Good question! I think kiteboarding catch quite fast in Europe, may be because one of the first guys who worked on kitesurf (Legaignou’s brothers, Manu Bertin, Laurent Ness, etc..) where French...so it’s certainly easier for a sport to catch where it was born. That’s why also it catch very fast and huge in Hawaii, because in the same time in Europe, some guys were also trying kitesurfing.

Parting words?

Enjoy every minute, every second of life, and what the nature offers us; so respect her too!! Keep going on the water and see you soon:!!!!