Life beyond the podium

My relationship with Levitaz began nearly a decade ago, during an exciting time in the kite foil racing scene when foils were starting to replace traditional race boards. I was eager to partner with a brand that shared my vision for long-term collaboration and product innovation. The headquarters being just a couple of hours away was a significant advantage, especially for hands-on prototyping and development. Sharing the same language also made it easier to discuss details and technical aspects. The fact that we were all friends created a foundation of trust, which is invaluable when building a brand together.

The foiling community continues to inspire me, not only because of its roots in kite foiling – my primary discipline – but also because of its incredible growth and diversity. Foiling has expanded into so many different water sports, each with unique variations and innovations. This evolution motivates me to bring my expertise to my new role, where I can draw on my background to contribute meaningfully to Levitaz's growth.

These days, my role combines my passion for the sport with a new focus on the business side. My day typically starts early, with a couple of hours spent tackling daily tasks like emails and operational updates. After that, my responsibilities are incredibly varied. From developing sales and marketing strategies to collaborating on product development and managing team riders, no two days are the same. At the moment, my primary focus is on our new freeride lineup. I work closely with Micha, our Product Manager, and Andreas, our Engineer, to analyze market trends and identify what’s needed to strengthen our presence in the freeride segment, which had taken a backseat as we focused heavily on racing in recent years.

Looking back, one of the best decisions I made during my athletic career was prioritizing education alongside my training. For young athletes, I cannot stress enough how important it is to invest in your future while pursuing your sport. Not only does this provide a safety net for life after competition, but it also keeps your mind fresh and your love for the sport alive. Injuries can happen at any time, and there’s no guarantee you’ll return at the same level. Unlike in mainstream sports like soccer, there’s often not enough financial security in niche sports to rely on savings alone. Education gives you the freedom to fully enjoy your career without fear of what comes next – something I’ve found invaluable in my own journey.