Special Guest : Bénédicte Cronier

✨ Bénédicte Cronier

Bénédicte Cronier grew up in Clisson, a pretty little town at 25km from Nantes. She has been a member of the French women’s bridge team for over 30 years.

Bénédicte met her husband Philippe Cronier around a bridge table in 1978 when she was 17. They have two children and three grandchildren. They now play together for the French mixed team.

• In 2022 she entered the Hall of Fame, a distinction for European top bridge players.

• 3-time World Champion (Venice Cup in 2005, 2011, 2015)

• 5-time Champion of Europe (1987, 1995, 2006, 2008, 2010)

• Winner of the Generali World Masters Individual in 2000.

• Many prestigious awards with her partner Sylvie Willard, including 2013 Sidney H. Lazard Jr. Sportsmanship Award.

• Several victories in team events with Phillipe Cronier :
  • Bronze medallist at European Mixed Teams (2019)
  • World Bridge Championships (2019)
  • Online EBL Qualification for WTC (2021)
  • Mixed Team Championships (March 2022)
  • European Team Championships (2022)
  • Mixed Teams (June 2022)

At what age have you started playing bridge?

I started playing at the bridge club of Nantes in 1976 with my sister Fabienne. We were 14 and 16 respectively.

What is your current national ranking?

I think that I’m France’s No.1 and the most decorated woman player in the world, but I’m not sure.

We’ve recently won the World Bridge Championships and European Team Championships. I’ve also been elected to the European Bridge Hall of Fame.

What is your best bridge memory ?

My best bridge memory is when my sister Fabienne and I won our first bridge tournament at the club of Nantes in 1975. We were 14 and 16 respectively. Fabienne also became a great champion. She died in 2018.