Portrait of Mathilde Valentin, 21, after her recent bronze medal at the French Raceboard Championship in Lacanau. She hails from Gérardmer, a "village of Vosges irreducibles" where raceboarding still occupies a place of choice, with Michel Mérieux as the druid keeping the magic potion preciously secret. For Mathilde, raceboarding is also a family affair, following in the footsteps of her mother Valérie and her brother Gauthier, like the Halluitte family in the same club. Mathilde remains discreet but is certainly efficient and elegant in her sailing style. A look back at her championship :

Mathilde, can you introduce yourself? 

 My name is Mathilde, I'm 21 years old and I've always been a member of ASG Voile. Since this year I've been studying in Epinal to become a school teacher.

I sail in Gérardmer, mainly on a raceboard for the regattas organized by the club. I have to admit that when the conditions rise (a rare occurrence here), I prefer to sail with a smaller board... I also like to sail for my own pleasure on other supports: 420, tandem, etc.

You're one of the few young people who practices raceboarding assiduously. What attracts you to this sport? ... tyrannical coach? The pleasure of sailing?

I came to raceboarding after my years with Bic293. It was the next logical step for me to continue my boarding career, and this medium seemed ideal for the conditions we had here. Indeed, the board quickly offers a sensation of glide and speed, even in light airs.

You crossed France to come to Lacanau, Tom Marchal did the same (from your club) to go to international events. What are you looking for in new, superior events?

I'm looking for nothing more than the pleasure of sailing! I always hope to find stronger conditions than at home on these events... Otherwise, you get to discover new places and enjoy other stretches of water, and it's good to see something different! I really enjoy this autumn event, as it gives us a chance to test ourselves against competitors other than those of the club, and marks the end of the year in style!

How did you experience this French championship (quality of the spot, conditions encountered, what was good and what was not so good or difficult)?

It was my first time in Lacanau and I loved it! We had a beautiful site on land, and the water was nice too. We had varied conditions over the three days, perfect for demonstrating our versatility. I thought the organization was top-notch, and above all very attentive to the needs of the racers. In short, it was a great event!

What are your plans for 2022? 

Nothing has been scheduled yet, but one thing's for sure: it's time to keep having fun on the water!

If you had a message to pass on to young people about raceboarding, what would it be?

It's a great series to be a part of! The atmosphere is good, and there's a certain competitive aspect to it, but fun hasn't been forgotten!