Women’s sailing festival ‘Steering the Course’ |08 October 2021

Hoffman sailing a Laser 4.7 boat

From windsurfing to laser Chantal Hoffman did it all

With most of her family members being very active in watersports, it was no surprise to see Chantal Hoffman follow in their footsteps.

And it has been a good decision since she has taken part in numerous international and regional competitions and won medals.

In fact, it was seeing sailors from the region competing in the 420, laser and windsurfing competitions at the Fourth Indian Ocean Islands Games (IOIG) in Seychelles in 1993 that sparked the interest in Hoffman.

Speaking to Sports NATION, Hoffman recounts her career:

“I come from a family where most of them have had a career relating to the sea. The 1993 IOIG in Seychelles sparked my interest in watersports with the 420, laser and windsurfing featuring. At that time, my brother was enrolled with the Sail Training Scheme (STS) where he was learning how to sail and windsurf. I was 18 years old. “My heart was set on windsurfing. The colorful sails and the speed! I could only imagine the thrill of gliding on the water. That was it! I got enrolled for windsurfing classes and later on joined the sailing classes.”

A year later, Hoffman started competing and at that time Endra Ha-Tiff was the only other female windsurfer.

Being kind of a perfectionist herself, she was motivated to one day be the best female windsurfer. This happened in 1999 when she was nominated for the female windsurfer of the year award and went on to win the title for four more years.

It was in 1998 at the IOIG in Reunion that Hoffman got her real taste of competition, teaming up with Allan Julie to take the worst finish position ‒ fourth place ‒ in the Hobie 16 class.

She also did some local races in the 420 dinghy where she teamed up with a male counterpart most of the time.

Back to windsurfing. Hoffman anticipated to take part in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, however she was not yet ready to compete for she had just given birth to her only child ‒ daughter Elke.

But she got to prepare for the 2003 IOIG held in Mauritius by following training in La Rochelle, France. She captured the silver medal in Mauritius behind Mauritian windsurfer Pascale who won the gold medal. That same year she featured among the top 10 finalists for the Sportswoman of the Year title.

Hoffman attempted the Mahé-Praslin race but it was cancelled due to a lack of wind, and she said “it has been my dream ever since to do this crossing but time will tell!”

At the end of the year 2004, Hoffman decided to move away from watersports as she had other commitments, and she described the departure as a “heartbreaking experience”.

But her love for the sea did not end though as she did windsurfing leisurely.

Ten years later (in 2014), she said Alain Alcindor contacted her to assist him with officiating of races.

“I was thrilled with the idea and so I made a comeback to the sport after a 10-year absence. Jokingly, he (Alain) mentioned that I should try Laser sailing, precisely in the 4.7 category (a class that I'd never tried before). I took on the challenge. It wasn't easy! Laser sailing is very physical where a lot of core strength is required along with sound judgment to win races. I recall finishing at the bottom of the score sheet for a while but at least I had fun!” Hoffman told Sports NATION.

The year 2015 was the year of the IOIG in Reunion. Meggy Gertrude was sailing the Laser radial and Alison Hoareau, the 4.7. Both were very good young sailors. Although Hoffman persevered, she did not win any medals at these Games.

When Seychelles hosted the Regional Sailing Championship in 2016, Hoffman did not shy away from fierce competition although competitors from Reunion did not take part. She finally left her mark on this class of sailing by winning the silver medal. This won her a ticket to the African Laser Championship held in Mozambique in December of the same year.

Fairly new to this type of sailing, she had to give her best and battle for a medal position.

“The competitors were all strong. Again I managed to secure the silver medal after much hard work. I was nominated as a contender in the Female Athlete of the Year and managed to secure third place finish in this ceremony. That was a moment of pure joy and my best achievement so far!” exclaimed Hoffman.

Hoffman is no longer competing since last year, but is very active in supporting the watersports community where she assists with officiating and any other voluntary work.

She is proud that her daughter Elke has joined the sailing family as an official despite not following in her footsteps to be a windsurfer or sailor. Nevertheless, she is so proud of her.

Compiled by Gerard Govinden