20 Questions

Lilou Granier (Starboard / Phantom Sails) made her debut on the world tour at her home event (New Caledonia) in 2015 at the age of just 15 - eventually finishing 14th in her first event. Fast forward two years and Granier would almost win her first elimination in front of her home crowd at the 2017 Airwaves Noumea Dream Cup - only to be denied by Delphine Cousin Questel (Starboard / S2Maui) on the line in a photo finish. The now 18-year-old is one of the most exciting young talents on the world tour at the moment and in 2018 she finished 4th and 6th in the two events she was able to attend, while she has made a bright start to 2019 after finishing 4th in South Korea - just missing out on her maiden podium finish by 1 point. We recently caught up with Lilou to take the latest of our 20 Questions interview:

1. Why are you so passionate about windsurfing?

I’m living in New-Caledonia, I can’t not be passionate!! 
 
2. What quality do you like most in other people?

I love people who can raise a smile on everyone. 
 
3. What annoys or frustrates you the most?

Not being able to see my friends for a long time.
 
4. What do you most like in yourself?

Wow I don’t know! Maybe my humour… i can make myself laugh alone! 
 
5. What do you dislike in yourself?

I hate my bloody temper when things are going wrong.
 
6. What has been your best moment on tour?

My first elimination on the tour in Noumea, at home : I took the 2nd place, side-by-side with Delphine [Cousin Questel]. All my family and my friends were on fire!! 
 
7. What has been your worst moment on tour?

When I had a big crash during the first winners’ final in Portugal... I was first after the first buoy and I took a nasty crash just before the 2nd mark.
 
8. Knowing what you know now, what advice would you have given yourself when your career started?

Stay focused and stop losing your temper! 
 
9. What is the best advice you have ever been given?

Stay focused and stop losing your temper! 
 
10. What would be your perfect day?

A non-active morning with a great lunch, big afternoon sesh at home and little party in the evening. 
 
11. Do you have any superstitions?

Nope.
 
12. Which living person do you most admire?

In my opinion, Sarah-Quita [Offringa] is the woman with the best life, the best way of mind and the best windsurf skills I have ever seen. 
 
13. What is your greatest fear?

That I stop windsurfing after my studies. 
 
14. What is your most treasured possession?

My 90L iSonic Starboard… always with me. 
 
15. If you weren’t a professional windsurfer, what would you like to be?

I’m actually studying to become a pilot, it’s too hard to be a professional windsurfer when you are a woman. 
 
16. Where is the best place you’ve been?

You’re nowhere better than at home. 
 
17. Where would you most like to go to that you haven’t been to yet?

Bonaire - heard too many exciting stories about this island.

18. Who would you most like to have as a dinner guest, dead or alive?

Wow I don’t know… there are always people you want to see again but you can’t…
 
19. First App you open in the morning?

Snapchat!!!!
 
20. A phrase you live by?

Your way depends on what you do with your sail, the wind is the same for everyone. 

Thanks, Lilou. Good luck for the rest of the year.

You can stay up to date with all of Lilou Granier’s latest news and adventures via her Social Media Channels:

Facebook: @LilouGranierFRA1208
Instagram: @lilou_granier