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  2. Two people, two boats, one element.

Two people, two boats, one element.

Interview with Franziska Widmer and Oliver Heer

Water is the element they share – and yet their boats, their journeys and their disciplines could hardly be more different. Franziska Widmer prefers to glide across mirror-smooth lakes in her canoe, powered by muscle strength and precision, whilst Oliver Heer braves the wind and waves on the high seas in his sailing boat, often for weeks on end.

Two sports enthusiasts, two perspectives, one great passion: water sports. In this interview, Franziska Widmer and Oliver Heer meet for the first time – to discuss technique, intuition, motivation and their fascination with an element that challenges and fulfils them in equal measure.

Franziska Widmer and Oliver Heer

When did you first take to the water in a sailing boat or canoe?

Franziska Widmer: at the age of 10

Oliver Heer: at the age of 5

What particular challenges does water present?

Franziska Widmer: It’s constantly in motion and never exactly the same. Depths and temperatures also play a role. 

 

Oliver Heer: It’s constantly changing and very dynamic.

Achievements – what’s your personal best?

Franziska Widmer: 500 metres, best time 1 minute 54 seconds

Oliver Heer: 45,000 kilometres, 99 days 5 hours 27 minutes

 

Water sports equipment – how long and how heavy is your ‘equipment’?

Franziska Widmer: Canoe, 5.2 metres, 12 kilos

Oliver Heer: Sailing boat, 20 metres, 7–8 tonnes

Steering – how do you steer?

Oliver Heer: With my hands

 

Franziska Widmer: With my foot

Wind – how important is wind in your sport?

Oliver Heer: The more wind, the better

 

Franziska Widmer: As little wind as possible

Hydration – how much do you drink on a competition day?

Oliver Heer: 8 litres of water a day on average

 

Franziska Widmer: 3 litres of water

Environment – how much do you depend on wind or water currents?

Franziska Widmer: A mirror-smooth lake is perfect. I avoid wind and choppy waters.

 

Oliver Heer: The wind is what drives me!

Passion – what does your sport mean to you personally?

Franziska Widmer: It’s a huge privilege that I identify with – it means everything to me.

 

Oliver Heer: It’s my dream and brings me fulfilment.

Motivation – what drives you to keep getting better?

Franziska Widmer: Something inside me that I can’t quite put into words.

 

Oliver Heer: Ambition

Intuition – how much of a role do experience and gut instinct play in your decision-making?

Franziska Widmer: I’ve learnt to listen to my gut instinct, but I don’t make decisions whilst on the water.

Oliver Heer: Tacit knowledge is very important. You acquire this knowledge over the years.

Decision-making – how quickly do you have to make decisions?

Franziska Widmer: During the race, I don’t have time for major decisions.

Oliver Heer: Not quickly, but constantly and without interruption

Concentration – how long do you need to stay focused at any one time?

Franziska Widmer: During the race, I don’t have time for major decisions.

Oliver Heer: Not quickly, but constantly and without interruption

Technique – which technical skills are particularly important in your sport?

Franziska Widmer: Technique is crucial. A stable, aerodynamic posture maximises power transfer.

 

Oliver Heer: There are numerous ones. A solid grounding in technical knowledge is essential.

 

Physical demands – which muscle groups are most important for your sport?

Franziska Widmer: It’s not purely an arm-based sport – the core, legs and arms all work together to transfer power.

 

Oliver Heer: Upper body and hands

Experience – what fascinates you most about your sport?

Franziska Widmer: After training, there are moments when I simply pause to take in my surroundings, the water and the sun. These moments mean a lot to me.

 

Oliver Heer: The perfect blend of modern technology and rugged nature

Weather – how do weather conditions affect your performance and safety?

Franziska Widmer: In winter, the cold often makes me feel a bit queasy, so I’ve had to cut some training sessions short and do them on the ergometer instead. Mentally, that’s a burden, which is why I’m glad our competition season starts in spring.

 

Oliver Heer: The weather determines whether I have an easy or a difficult day on the boat.