In Palavas-les-Flots, Kristalle Albert shows that women can also joust

Perchée sur sa tintaine, Kristalle Albert a remporté la joute. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

A jouster for three years in Palavas-les-Flots, Kristalle Albert is delighted to see the sport open up to women. This Thursday, August 21, she opened the jousting tournament organized by the Lance sportive palavasienne.

Thursday, August 21, 7 p.m. In Palavas-les-Flots, a Languedoc jousting tournament begins before the eyes of several hundred spectators, spread out on both sides of the Lez. Kristalle Albert, lance in hand, prepares for the fight. Her long red hair contrasts with her bright white outfit. Perched on the bell of the red boat, she wins in a few minutes against her opponent posted on the blue one. “I beat her on points, she made several eliminatory mistakes”, she explains.

After joining her comrades on the quay, the jouster retraces her journey.”The first woman to be licensed in Palavas-les-Flots, three years ago, she has since been joined by a second jouster and a rower. It is thanks to Laurent Merle, one of the coaches, that she was able to practice for several years before the license was opened to women. “He let me use the carts, and then I started to ride on the tintaine.”

“Five days a week”

A history and geography teacher at the Étang de l'Or college in Mauguio, she is particularly involved in the jousting association. “I am a federal educator at the Palavasian jousting school and treasurer of the Palavasian Lance sportive”, says Kristalle Albert, who dedicates “up to five days a week" to jousting. But that's not all. The enthusiast continues, with a smile on her lips: “I take part in tournaments and training sessions every Wednesday.” Not forgetting the evenings with the members, “in our Tenchadou premises”.

Twenty-two members

The mother is also part of the Avenir des Jouteuses de Thau, which brings together twenty-two licensees. “We are spread between the cities of’Agde, Frontignan, Mèze, Palavas, Sète and Valras."

She is delighted with the change in mentalities that the environment, which was previously very masculine, is experiencing. "The first women's licenses were issued in 2018, in Sète." Since then, some companies have organized women's tournaments. "In Palavas for example, we are often allowed to joust at the start of the match."

The professor still regrets that the Languedoc jousting league does not offer an official women's tournament. She would also like to see equipment adapted to her category appear. "Today, we joust with cadet lances, which is not optimal. And I wouldn't say no to a lighter shield."

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