Five World Titles In: Catching Up with Capucine Delannoy

At just 20 years old, Capucine Delannoy has already secured five World Titles. This latest one came down to Sylt, where a long week of waiting finally gave way to one gray, windy day of competition. After posting the highest score of the event, Capucine went on to take the win. We caught up with her about handling the pressure, how her riding has evolved, and what keeps her pushing for more.

First of all, huge congrats on World Title five! Take us through Sylt - how did the event unfold for you? 

Thank you so much! It was a long waiting week. The competition started on Monday and we had eyes on a really good forecast for the weekend. It was quite stressful because in Sylt the forecast changes every 2 hours, it kept disappearing and coming back. But the wind held and Saturday would be our day! Skipper’s meeting was at 6am before the sunrise and we were ready to compete. It was the Sylt I like - gray, rainy and some real wind. It was very short heats and a short fleet so the competition went very fast. 

First heat was my first session on the spot since I'd arrived, it was great. I understood a bit how the spot worked that day. Then I went straight to the semis, I felt good on the water, my riding was flowing and I secured the highest score of the competition. 

The final went great, knowing a title was on the line made it a little more nerve-wracking, but that's the feeling we do it for! I landed all my tricks and I took the win! 

It was amazing, my 5th time winning there, and at the same time securing my 5th world title. I was so happy! 

It was another very beautiful one, and always with my dad, who's also my coach, by my side, it's always special to share this together. I think Sylt is really my lucky place. 

With everything essentially coming down to this one event, did that change how you approached the competition? 

Every year before coming to Sylt I stay at least 2 months at home in Brazil to train, giving everything, just gym, kiting, açaí and repeat. So training-wise I couldn't do much more, it was like a normal event in that sense. Mentally though, there was of course a lot more pressure, so I started preparing and visualizing before the event to handle it better and feel more ready. 

Five World Titles at just 20 years old! Has that sunk in yet? 

Honestly, after the comp it took a few hours for the pressure and adrenaline to drop and I finally realized I won! Since I was very young I wanted to be a world champion, no matter the sport, it was my dream! I'm so happy to say I've accomplished this dream 5 times! 
 

Looking back, it has been the most beautiful and exciting journey I've been on. It brought me unforgettable moments, many lessons, so much joy, but it also took hard work, dedication and discipline as well. So for me this feels like a confirmation that it was all for a reason and it was the right path to take. 

Does this title feel different from your first one? 

Definitely, I think every world title has its own story. And each has its own reason. My first title was crazy because it was the first time I accomplished my dream, it made me realize I could actually be a world champion, something I had wanted since I was a kid. This one feels different. I have more experience now, I've been there before, so I feel more prepared and confident. And that allows me to enjoy every heat more, have fun, and ride not just for the title but to show my best riding. 

What are you most proud of in your riding right now compared with a few years ago? 

I can finally do a kite loop in competition haha! This trick took me literally years (and so much pain haha) to land consistently, so I was really proud to land it at this event, even with gustier and lighter wind than I’m used to. 

After five titles, what still motivates you, and what do you want to achieve next? 

I've learned that it's very important to have motivation beyond a title. I think what motivates me is progression, of course I want to be the best, but I want to do it with sick tricks! I'd love to see the level in women's kiting keep rising, and to be part of pushing that forward. My next goals are to land the tricks the top boys are landing, and maybe more! 

Congrats again, Capucine! Well-deserved and onto the next!