Born: 1983 (Saint-Maurice)
Émilie Fer is a French slalom kayaker who was born on February 17, 1983, in Saint-Maurice. She has had a remarkable career in the sport, achieving both Olympic and world championship titles.
Émilie Fer began her kayaking journey at the SPCOC La Colle-St Paul club in La Colle-sur-Loup (Alpes-Maritimes) in 1996. Her talent and dedication quickly propelled her to success. She then went on to train in Pau, where she joined the Dispositif Pôle Élite.
In 2008, Émilie Fer qualified for the Olympic Games held in Beijing. Despite facing tough competition, she showcased her skills and finished the qualifiers in fifth place. In the semifinals, she impressively secured second place, briefly leading the pack at one point. However, during the final, a mistake caused her to miss a gate, resulting in a penalty of 50 seconds. This unfortunate incident dashed her hopes of winning a medal, and she finished the competition in seventh place.
Four years later, Émilie Fer earned her second qualification for the Olympic Games, this time for the London 2012 edition. As the sole representative of women’s canoe-kayak slalom, she delivered a memorable performance. On August 2, 2012, at the Lee Valley Whitewater Pool, she won the coveted gold medal. Her phenomenal achievement made her the first Frenchwoman in history to secure an Olympic title in this discipline.
Continuing her success in the following years, Émilie Fer won a team gold medal at the European Championships in Krakow in 2013. Competing alongside Marie-Zélia Lafont and Carole Bouzidi, she demonstrated her skills as part of a winning team. She then added another gold medal to her collection at the 2013 World Championships held in Prague. In this event, she surpassed her compatriot Nouria Newman to claim the top spot.
In the subsequent year’s World Championships in Deep Creek Lake, Émilie Fer reached the semifinals but was unable to progress further. However, she, along with Carole Bouzidi and Nouria Newman, triumphed in the team competition, securing the title for France.
Émilie Fer’s passion for kayaking continued, and she strived to qualify for a third consecutive Olympic Games in Rio in 2016. However, during the France Elite Championships held in Pau in April 2016, Marie-Zélia Lafont emerged victorious, narrowly beating Émilie Fer.
Throughout her career, Émilie Fer’s accomplishments have been widely acknowledged. Her skill, determination, and commitment to her sport have made her a role model for aspiring athletes. Not only has she achieved greatness individually, but she has also contributed to the success of her team, demonstrating her versatility as a competitor.
Émilie Fer’s achievements in kayaking have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the sport. Her dedication and talent have made her an inspiration to future generations of athletes. As a trailblazer in women’s canoe-kayak slalom, she has helped pave the way for more opportunities and recognition for women in sports.