Brian’s personal qualities created his legendary image and made him nearly the most famous windsurfer of the world. In his interview to Seva Shulgin in 2001 Talma said that the pedestal and championship fighting had never been his prerogative; that’s why, being free from any pressure concerning this question, he can enjoy windsurfing, competitions and beach life. Meanwhile Brian has already achieved great results in his sport career, has tried jaws, and is one of the founders of freestyle discipline.

After Brian’s presentation in Anapa, some people (in typically Russian manner) began to bazoo that our windsurfing is not worse, that the Black Sea is also an ocean and Brian had shown nothing exceptional at all. Well, if 40-year old Brian, who has already left “big sport”, after 4-day flight could somehow surprise our sportsmen, it would have meant that our windsurfing lags 20 years from the reality. So no wonder was expected. It’s normal that young sportsmen perform as good as eminent ‘‘old guys”.

When at the conference Brian was asked about Russian windsurfing level, he adjusted our sportsmen’s great potential, comparing them not with himself but with the young generation of foreign sportsmen. And it matters. So, perhaps other person’s achievements shouldn’t be accepted skeptically.

It seems to me that not sport achievements, but unique ability to be happy (that’s why his nick is “Irie Man”) makes Brian Palma the star. He says he’s never been unlucky; and considering, that we all have a portion of bad evil in our lives, it becomes clear that only personal attitude towards disasters can make a person lucky or vise versa. As an orange among the raisings, Brian Palma made a contrast with a crowd of our countrymen, mainly more humdrum and pathetic.

During Black sea Cup competitions a portion of fresh-made video was shown in chill-out every evening. The organizers definitely did their best. They managed to create a very cozy place from typically soviet concrete-and-iron construction, winding off the reed, hanging towels and advertising, arranging mattresses and low tables. Different sketches (something like “about the sea again”) were permanently shown on a big TV screen and everyone could get a free of charge cup of tea in the bar.

On the 5-th of October the evening program considerably improved, as Brian Talma answered our questions.

At first we all were very shy and only after five-time asking whether Brian liked Russians (and getting a positive answer every time), the questions became serious.

Surely the first question was about the star’s family position. Brian answered that he was married, has 2 children, but had to divorce because of his life-rhythm. As Seva Shulgin, who was an interpreter, said, “… at the moment Brian’s heart is absolutely vacant”.

One girl asked about the shell he was twisting every now and then (throughout the evening there was a beautiful big shell in his hands) and whether his white teeth were his own or artificial. Brian explained that the shell was the symbol of his “beach style” life image and loudly blew the shell. And his faded hair, dazzling smile and blue eyes were his own and quite real.

The representative of mazoo networks in my face (remembering about my paranoia) asked about Brian’s attitude towards the sharks, and, besides, windsurfing and kitesurfing (Brian also goes in for kitesurfing). Brian Talma answered that he’s really afraid of sharks, and it’s good that there are no sharks on Barbados (I wonder, why?). His answer concerning my second question was the following:
"Windsurfing is my passion, kitesurfing is my action!"

Windsurfers extended the theme asking about wave and freestyle disciplines. He said:
"Wave is my passion, freestyle is my action!"

Answering the question about plans for the distant future, when he would be somewhat 100 years old, Brian said that he sees himself windsurfing, on the beach, at the sea. Of course, everyone wanted to clear up the “financial part” of Brian’s life; nevertheless the question wasn’t asked. By the way Brian Talma is one of the sponsors’ favorite persons. He is also the owner of a shop on Barbados. So, there is no need to worry about him.

Sportsmen from Novosibirsk insisted on Brian’s visit to this city, but Brian firmly refused, saying that he can't imagine himself wearing anything more considerable than shorts; he was also afraid that the brains would simply freeze in Siberia. Being deeply troubled with such perspective, Andrei Grazev presented Brian a sailor’s jacket, which he proudly kept on wearing the next day on the beach.

Generally, the meeting was fine. When the questions seized, Brian gave bazillion of autographs, and even I (in spite of my principles) couldn’t stand and got one. Now there is a poster with Talma’s signature hanging on my fridge! The girls boldly flirted with Barbados legend, and taking into account Brian’s attractive charm, only strong love to my husband prevented me from doing the same.:)

Finally I’d like to add that Brian Talma composes music and poems. His compositions “Irie Man” and “Live Forever” can be downloaded from his web site.

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