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After narrowly avoiding defeat on the last day of competition in Japan, Justine Lemeteyer finally became PWA World Champion in Foil Slalom in mid-November. Crowned for the second year running, she talks to Windsurfjournal.com about her victory after a difficult season...
Windsurfjournal.com: The last day in Japan could be described as a real nightmare, with several falls and a situation where you thought you had been disqualified. Can you take us back to that moment when you returned to the beach thinking you had missed a heat?
Justine Lemeteyer: It was the worst possible moment for such a mistake, I really felt like I was in a nightmare. We were in the final of race number four. I knew I could win the event and the title in this race. The wind was strong, which I like, and I felt really good and confident. I made what I thought was a perfect start according to my timer. I could see that I was ahead of my opponents on the line, and then I heard the general recall. I knew that if anyone had jumped, it was me. I was the first to arrive at the committee, waiting for the “over early” announcement. When I reach the boat, the committee looks at me and crosses their arms before turning back to the group of girls and telling them that we are going to restart. I returned to the beach thinking that the committee had just flagged my false start. When I arrived at the beach, everyone signaled me to head back out to sea, but it was too late—the race had started... So the committee was signaling that I hadn't jumped the gun, but I interpreted their gesture as the opposite. In the end, no one had jumped the gun, and my start was perfect. I felt it was unfair and a theft before realizing that I was also partly to blame for not waiting for a more official announcement before returning. I was able to talk to the committee later in the day so that we could explain our two points of view on the situation.
WJ: This season only had two stages (Guadeloupe and Japan). How did you adapt your preparation and strategic approach to maximize your chances in such a reduced schedule?
JL: With my different practices (iQFOiL, Slalom X, and Foil Slalom), the schedule is ultimately quite busy. It allows me to keep up the pace even when the PWA schedule is light. From a sailing perspective, I even felt that I had improved since Guadeloupe, thanks in particular to the French team training camps with the guys. It was in terms of motivation that I struggled a lot this summer. My favorite discipline is struggling to get events, the financial balance of the project is fragile, and I reached a very high level of fatigue. All of this combined, I even thought about ending my career at the end of the season. Today, I've found other sources of motivation to continue living this crazy life, but the summer period wasn't easy.
WJ: You finished the season tied on points with Alabau and Erzen, but it was the number of wins across all races that gave you the title. Was that something you were aware of before the final race?
JL: I never count the points during a regatta, it just adds to the stress. I prefer to race each race without worrying about the overall standings. So after my catapult in the last semifinal, I was convinced I had lost the title... I didn't realize that Blanca Alabau could win the event and that, as a result, I still had a chance at the world title. When the PWA team came to announce my victory, I was already consoling myself with second place. It was a real shock and a huge emotional roller coaster.
WJ: Compared to last year, how would you rate your progress in Foil Slalom? Are there any technical or mental aspects that made a difference in 2025?
JL: I made a lot of progress between 2024 and 2025 in Foil Slalom. My speed record increased by two knots, my jibes were more committed, and I was much more confident approaching big events. I felt that I had reached a new level, thanks in particular to the change of equipment with PATRIK. The equipment works well, and this new challenge alongside them gave me a lot of enthusiasm and motivation.
WJ: Guadeloupe and Japan offer very different conditions. What were the main difficulties in Yokosuka and how did you adjust your equipment and navigation?
JL: The main difficulty in Yokosuka is the irregularity of the wind, both in strength and direction. I arrived at the spot five days before the event to get settled and build my confidence. During those five days, we were quickly reminded of how difficult it is to adjust the equipment at a spot or between two buoys. You get downwind and upwind conditions, and the wind can vary by 10 knots... So yes, we had to adapt our equipment to these particular conditions. Personally, I felt that I needed to sail with more sail than usual to be able to get through the low and high conditions. I even went so far as to move the harness lines to make it easier to manage the rig in this irregular wind.
WJ: How do you feel about winning your second consecutive world title at just 23 years old?
JL: It's difficult to describe how I feel. Obviously, I'm delighted to have finished the season and brought the trophy home. But at the same time, it took me several days to get over the anger I felt after that nightmarish final day. I can't wait for things to calm down, between my DEJEPS exam (Diploma of State Qualification in Physical Education and Sports), media requests, and organizing end-of-season celebrations with my partners, so I can finally sit back and take the time to realize that I've achieved my goal and that I'm a two-time world champion.
WJ: Now that the season is over, what personal and athletic conclusions do you draw from 2025, and what are your goals for 2026?
JL: It's been a season rich in learning experiences. This summer, I was so exhausted that I thought about ending my career. I pushed myself too hard. I know I'll have to find a different balance in my sporting plans so that I don't end up in the same state of exhaustion next year. From a competitive point of view, I obviously want to continue defending my PWA title. And I really want to go for the world speed record in foil! The rest is to be confirmed depending on my desires and possibilities, but these two goals will certainly guide the next season.
Source: Justine Lemeteyer
Photos: Carter/Pwaworldtour.com
