Lise Vidal passed away on July 2, 2021. Before becoming a federal executive at the Pôle France in Marseille, serving our Olympic athletes, Lise was a great champion, herself on the Olympic support, in the 2000s, in Mistral One Design, winning Olympic selection. She was a long-standing member of the French team at the time, along with Jeanne, Faustine, Synthia and Sandrine, forming a close-knit team, rivals on the water but friends in life, with strong sporting and human values. Jeanne, still active in raceboarding and a member of FRA, and her friends from the team pay her a poignant tribute, full of strong memories, anchored in the depths of their hearts, memories being... eternal.
Jeanne Mailhos
Lise, unforgettable Lise. The years and the distance change nothing. We have so many shared memories. Since the announcement of your passing, you've left a great void. "We never swim in the same river twice" and we never surf the same wave twice, so, from now on, you'll be a beacon, a light to help me make the most of my life and guide my children in theirs, thinking of you and the minutes, hours and years you won't be able to enjoy.
Sandrine Nuvolone,
We met for the first time at a League regatta in Serre-Ponçon. I was about to give up, because on the Côte d'Azur we didn't know what the wind was like! And you said to me: "Come on, Sandrine! There's one more tack! Let's finish with a flag!!!" Then we shared more and more regattas and ended up at the Pôle France in Marseille, where the adventures and the serious stuff really began. Neighbors from cité U, increasingly close partners, training partners and rivals too. It's at times like these that I realize how much time we've shared together, how much family we've created and how many wonderful memories we've made, always with that special bond. I think the one that will always be engraved in my memory, above and beyond all our voyages, is that beautiful Alizés trophy and those landscapes that just thinking about them gives me the shivers. Even after almost 20 years, we were still talking about it! My Lisou, it's hard to believe that from now on I'll be scanning the skies for your star to send me all that positivity that so characterized you. I want you to know that the girls and I are so proud to have shared this part of our lives with you, which was all too short... so short... My Lisou, Auntie Lise, you'll be with us forever!
Synthia Gros
Over 10 years of living, training, studying, racing and traveling together from Marseille to the four corners of the planet. We were rivals on the water, but totally connected ashore by our passion for the sea, sailing and life in general. Lise was so passionate, energetic, exuberant and endearing. She never went unnoticed, with her Marseilles accent, her naiad look, her podium finishes that made us all proud and motivated us to give our best. She was a pillar of our fine team of "funny ladies" who, despite their different personalities, were very close-knit and united. Lise, the naiad from Marseilles, full of life, humor and raw emotion. We experienced so many wonderful things together, both on land and on the water, and made so many unforgettable memories. I can't believe you've left us so soon. We already miss your smile and good humor terribly. RIP Lise
Faustine Merret
Lise After all these years sailing side by side, our wakes are so closely linked. A formidable adversary, you paved the way for me at the Sydney Olympics. We've become life partners on land and on the water, and have so many fond memories of those moments. The end of our careers brought us even closer together; to find ourselves transmitting alongside you was perfect harmony. Lisou, a friend that neither time nor distance can change. It's impossible to accept that you're gone, but you'll continue to share our lives, and your memory will be part of every new course we chart.
