- Alain Prost, the French F1
team manager, joined the Tribe of Snowboarders
-
 Having been brought by helicopter at
half the slope of the Cervin, Alin Prost was rather good in 60cms
of powder snow. The world champion of snowboard Nicolas Conte
who was with him was more than surprised by the F1 pilot. An
exclusive interview !
Texte et photos Jean-François Vibert
-
- Everyday we are more numerous
! Just like for instance, Jean-Claude Killy, who left his skis
for the small slipping board ; the 'professor' is now having
fun thanks to backsides and frontsides. For the ones who are
interested in it, learn that Alain is goofy right foot on
the front and that he uses three buckled shells set up
on a Burton Kelly. A very advisable choice for powder snow and
made after numerous attempts his passion for the perfecting
is well known.
Interview
of Alain Prost
- 'On a snowboard, since the
very first metres you can have fun.'
JFV :
For how long have you been practicing snowboarding ?
Alain Prost : I have made my first try three or four
years ago. I started with ski shoes on a regular surf in spite
of the fact I was goofy. I then met the problems most people
meet when they begin alone and without any help. This is not
advisable at all !
-
 
-
- JFV : At
that time, were you close to abandon ?
- Alain Prost : No I really wanted to practice snowboarding.
Therefore, I went on and decided to start again from the beginning
with a few lessons. What a difference ! I also read some specialised
magzines and above all I made numerous tests. I tried different
types of equipment in order to find the good one and the good
adjustment
-
- JFV : This
reminds me of something !
- Alain Prost : Yes, adjustments were my passion on the
circuits, it was my way of progressing !
-
- JFV : hat
do in like in snowboarding when compared to skiing ?
- Alain Prost : The easiness, and the exceptional sensations
you can feel very early, even with an average or a low level.
In powder snow, this machine completely expresses itself
-
 
-
- JFV : According
to you, can anybody practice snowboarding ?
- Alain Prost : Look at me, I am fourty and
I started quite recently, it means it is not that hard ! You
can have fun since the very first metres whereas with skis, the
progresses are very slow to come.
-
- JFV : Do
you also practice skiing ?
- Alain Prost : I did not give up skiing. I
have been sking for some years now. It is nice for family walks.
-
- JFV : When
you were still driving, did You find time to go surfing ?
- Alain Prost : Yes, I usually booked around
ten days per year for this. Now I have even less time for myself
-
 
-
- JFV : What
did you think of the snow today ?
- Alain Prost : Fabulous, I never more fun
than this time. Sensations were incredible, conditions perfect,
and the landscape extraordinary. True surf means according to
me, powder snow and only helicopters enable us to be sure to
find such a snow. And all this, of course, in total safety as
there is a large range of runs. The pilot can leave us where
the best conditions can be found.
-
- JFV : Then,
Are Alain Prost and snowboarding together for life ?
- Alain Prost : I think it will be the case,
yes. Not everybody can pilot a F1 and not everybody can surf
on the waves of Hawai, but everybody can feel the sensations
offered by snowboarding. And in a setting like the one we had
today, I swear it is incredible !
-
 
-
- © Jean François
VIBERT - Journalist and photographer - Paris -
-
- Specialised in travels, extrems
sports, leisure activities, adventure trips, outdoor sports,
deserts and mountains... Trekking, ski, snowboard, mountain,
bike, sailing, scuba diving, hiking, in line skating... Texts
and pictures for the press and the web, illustration, digital
photography, reportages...
|
- Journaliste photographe - Spécialiste
des voyages, des sports de glisse, des loisirs, de l'aventure,
de l'outdoor, des déserts, des montagnes. VTT, trekking,
ski, snowboard, parapente, voile, plongée sous marine,
randonnées, roller in line... Textes et photos pour la
presse et internet, illustrations, photographie numérique,
reportages...
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