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WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: MATTEO IACHINO AND JUSTINE LEMETEYER!

PWA FOIL SLALOM WORLD CHAMPIONS!

What a way to close out the PWA racing season! The final day in Japan was packed with drama, pressure and some seriously thrilling racing with all sorts of twists and turns! When the final calculations were confirmed, Matteo Iachino and Justine Lemeteyer emerged victorious to claim the PWA Foil Slalom world titles for the second year running. With everything on the line, both champions kept their cool when it mattered most. We caught up with Matteo and Justine to relive the rollercoaster finale, find out how they handled the pressure and get the inside story on their back-to-back world championship triumphs!

Photos: PWA / Carter.

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MATTEO IACHINO: WORLD CHAMPION!

WINDSURF MAGAZINE: Matteo, congratulations! What a dramatic final day in Japan! When you crashed in the first race, did you think the world title was slipping away?

MATTEO IACHINO: “I didn’t really know what to think, actually. At least it was entirely my own mistake. I had a bad start and over-pushed on the first stretch, then over-pushed again on the second. I basically killed myself!

I was pissed off with myself, but not too angry. I was just thinking, “Whatever, I gave it a shot.” If there was another race, I would try to do my best, and that was it.

I didn’t think it was completely over because, in the end, with three races and no discards, what happened to me could happen to anyone. Of course, it wasn’t ideal, but I wasn’t dwelling on it.”

WINDSURF MAGAZINE: How did you manage to reset mentally and get yourself back in the game?

MATTEO IACHINO: “I went back and watched the elimination ladders. I didn’t really want to think about it too much, but Ben Proffitt told me that if I won the next race and Amado wasn’t second, then I would actually win the title.

I was like, “OK!” I had no idea, really. But the good thing was that I stayed positive and was enjoying myself because it was windy. I was thinking, “F**k it, I love racing in these conditions. Whatever happens, happens!”

I just wanted to do my best rather than crash again or keep dwelling on what had happened. I cleared my mind and went back out on the water feeling positive. I wasn’t sad or angry with myself, which is quite different from what I’ve experienced previously in my career!”

WINDSURF MAGAZINE: In the final, did you notice that Pierre Mortefon and Amado Vrieswijk were missing from the battle after their crash before the start?

MATTEO IACHINO: “Not at all! I was on the other side of the course, fighting with Bruno and a few other guys, so I was completely focused on that battle. Bruno has been the fastest guy throughout the season, in my opinion. I was fighting with him, then I let him go, but I managed to get a better drive and was focusing on racing against him.

When I got into the lead, I was thinking, “OK, now just focus on not crashing and keep pushing,” because the guy is a beast and just keeps going!

After I finished, I looked back and saw that they weren’t there. I knew that if Amado wasn’t in the top two, then, if Ben was correct, I would probably have won. But it was hard to say for sure.

I went back to the beach and started counting the points. I didn’t really know what to expect. Whatever happened, at least I was happy because I had done my best.

I had really great speed, and after being a bit unlucky in the first elimination and crashing in the second, I wanted to show what I could do. I was happy to finish with the bullet anyway. I had achieved what I wanted to do in that second race, so I was just thinking, Whatever happens, happens!”

WINDSURF MAGAZINE: You seemed remarkably relaxed about the possibility of losing the title, considering how much was at stake?

MATTEO IACHINO: “These guys are so good. Amado is a really good friend, and I have huge respect for him and all the work he puts into foiling.

In the end, if they beat me, they beat me. It’s OK. I was genuinely fine with that. So, when they came and told me I’d won, I was even happier!”

WINDSURF MAGAZINE: Another world title in the bag! To win both world titles this year must be an incredible feeling?

MATTEO IACHINO: “Definitely! Winning both this year was my goal and my dream. I think I still need some time to realise what I’ve achieved because every title is different.

Now I have five PWA world titles and one in speed. It sounds like you win everything, or that you’ve won a lot, but there’s so much work behind it and so many things that happen between the races. It’s difficult to understand, even for myself, and probably from the outside, too.”

WINDSURF MAGAZINE: Did you get a chance to speak to Remi Villa, your shaper from Starboard after the crash? How important was his support?

MATTEO IACHINO: “Yes, I spoke with him in between races, after the crash. He told me, “Man, it’s not over. Just give it all, like you always do.” That was our last exchange.

Then he wrote to me saying he was really proud of me. I’m really happy to be on the team with him because he’s such a great guy and gives me great support. We have a really good relationship.”

WINDSURF MAGAZINE: Japan always seems to throw up a few surprises. What makes this event so challenging?

MATTEO IACHINO: “It’s always nice to come back here. The people are amazing, but the conditions are really challenging because you can have basically everything, and you never know what to expect.

Before the event, when we were here with Blanca, it was windy every day despite there being no wind in the forecast. Then, during the event, we actually had wind forecast but nothing happened!

You can have 10 knots in the forecast and end up fully powered, or you can have 15–20 knots forecast and get absolutely nothing, as we had a couple of days ago when it looked like an amazing typhoon was coming.

You just never know what to expect. That’s why I think it’s a really demanding event.”

WINDSURF MAGAZINE: Congratulations once again, Matteo. Enjoy your well-deserved holiday in Maui!

MATTEO IACHINO: “Thank you! Yes, I will!”

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JUSTINE LEMETEYER: WORLD CHAMPION!

WINDSURF MAGAZINE: Justine, congratulations! Talk us through how the final day in Japan played out?

JUSTINE LEMETEYER: “I arrived at the beach feeling a bit nervous because I knew I had no more room for mistakes. A fourth place wouldn’t have been too bad, but it wouldn’t have been good enough for the world title. After the first race, though, I gained a lot of confidence because the conditions were exactly the kind I like, with more wind. I had a lot of fun, and that helped release the pressure.

I really enjoyed the day, and that made a big difference. I then managed to score two second places, which was good. Going into the last race, I knew the points and understood exactly where I needed to finish, depending on who was ahead of me.”

WINDSURF MAGAZINE: So, it all came down to making a crucial overtake on the home straight in the final race?

JUSTINE LEMETEYER: “Exactly! I knew that I had to pass Tuva, otherwise I wouldn’t become world champion. At the last mark, I was in third place, and I knew I had to cross the finish line in second because Lina was already a long way ahead.

I knew that gybe was everything, so I made a good inside gybe and managed to get past. I was actually recalculating the points as I went! Once I passed her, I was thinking, “OK, now it’s two plus two…” I was doing the maths right up until the finish line!

Even then, I wasn’t completely sure of the points, so I had to wait for the official confirmation. I thought I had done it, but I wasn’t 100% certain!”

WINDSURF MAGAZINE: Consistency clearly played a huge part in securing the title. Were you confident that approach would pay off?

JUSTINE LEMETEYER: “Yes, consistency paid off, and I kind of knew it would. I was happy with my second places, too, because I knew consistency was going to be the key. I saw everyone else going up and down in the results, so I told myself that if I could just stay consistently in the top three, I would be happy. That was the plan.”

WINDSURF MAGAZINE: Tuva and her sister put up a strong fight. Were you surprised to see them challenging so closely at the top?

JUSTINE LEMETEYER: “Not really. The Norwegian sisters have been there before, and they are fast. Hella has already competed at this level, so I knew she was quick. Tuva was competing for the first time, but she’s really good on the iQFOiL.

All the iQFOiL sailors are good on the slalom board, too. Tuva had good equipment and everything she needed, so I’m really not surprised to see her so close to the top. There were some great battles.”

WINDSURF MAGAZINE: You had a close battle with Lina Erzen right to the end. What did you say to her after the race?

JUSTINE LEMETEYER: “I told her straight after the race, on the beach, that her time will come for sure. She’s a really good sailor, she’s fast, and she deserves it. I have no doubt she’ll win one day. That’s sport. You give it everything, and I’m happy to take the title this time, but I’m sure she’ll get it one day, too!”