Justine Mettraux

Justine Mettraux is showing the rest of Switzerland that women are also capable of elite-level sailing. Since 15 January, the 36-year-old from Geneva has been participating in one of the epic events of team sailing: the Ocean Race. Six months at sea on an IMOCA, a 60-foot craft fitted with foils. In this round-the-world race over different legs, the organisers require each crew of five to include a woman. “It’s not just that Justine Mettraux has an outstanding level of expertise; the presence of a woman may also bring a more subtle approach to sailing,” is how an expert explained it. This Geneva native, born into a nautical family on Lake Geneva, leads a remarkable life – as do the rest of her family, since her two sisters and two brothers are all top-level sailors. “My father, who brought us up on his own, had complete confidence in us,” Justine recalls.

And it certainly takes confidence to set out alone across the Atlantic, which is what Justine did in 2013, finishing second in the Mini Transat. During the last Route du Rhum, the Versoix sailor finished seventh with her IMOCA, after having led part of the way. The next step is the Vendée Globe in 2024, a solo race around the world where she will compete on an equal footing with her rivals because in a contest of this type, it is not a sailor’s strength that makes the difference, but rather their racing experience, knowledge of the sea, and boat-repairing skills. Justine possesses all of these assets. If she has a shortcoming, it is a certain reticence, perhaps, meaning she is not the type to pose on a beach with her boyfriend for a magazine cover. On the other hand, her passion and example are driving forces in making sailing more accessible to women.