Alina Kornelli

You grew up in a family of sportspeople – did you realise early on that you wanted to become a professional sportswoman one day?

Alina Kornelli: “Not at all, actually. As a child, I was incredibly active. My parents always said I was a real live wire. It was important to them that I tried out as many sports as possible. That’s why I learnt to ski, snowboard, ice skate, play golf and dance at an early age, and later on I took up windsurfing too. I also have a brother who’s two and a half years older than me, and I think that had a big influence on me. As the little sister, you always wanted to be just as good as your big brother. Even so, I never dreamt of becoming a professional sportswoman. On the contrary, until I was about 12 or 13, I actually found it rather uncomfortable to really work up a sweat during PE lessons. When I was 12, I also took up volleyball and got into snowboard cross through the school’s snowboarding programme. That’s where I competed in my first competitions and eventually became German Youth Champion. At 16, I then competed in my first international kitesurfing European Championship. There, I realised that, despite my limited training days, I could keep up with the best European female riders, even though I don’t live by the coast and only really got out on the water during the school holidays. When the 2018 Youth Olympic Games came into focus, I thought for the first time: perhaps there really is potential here. My parents never drilled me or put me under pressure… they simply wanted me to try out as many things as possible. Back then, nobody would have thought that this would one day lead to a professional career. From 2018 to 2024, with the Olympic goal in mind, the sport became a very intense part of my life."

What do you love about water sports?

Alina Kornelli: “What I love most about water sports is that feeling of freedom. You’re out in nature, completely in the moment, and have to rely on the wind, the water and yourself. It’s challenging, but that’s exactly how you grow. And what I love just as much is the community. No matter where I’m travelling in the world – whether in South Africa, Brazil or Greece – you almost always meet people you know or strike up a conversation straight away with other water sports enthusiasts. It just feels like one big family, where everyone supports one another and shares a passion for the sport and nature.”

You’re a role model to many people. Were there any role models along your own journey who inspired you?

Alina Kornelli: “There wasn’t really one single person. But there were a few professional female athletes from the worlds of snowboarding and kitesurfing whom I’ve always looked up to. Back then, they used to appear in kitesurfing magazines, on cover pages or in major photo shoots, and had a strong presence on social media from an early stage. I found that incredibly impressive back then and often thought to myself: how cool would it be to be in that position myself one day, or to read a newspaper article about myself. That really motivated and inspired me. Today, it’s crazy that I sometimes get to take on that role myself for young female athletes.”

What advice would you give to young girls who might not yet have the confidence to get on a board or out on the water?
 

Alina Kornelli: “This issue is really close to my heart. Ever since my Olympic campaign, I’ve been making a conscious effort to spend more time on social media because I want to share my sport and my lifestyle and inspire others to get into it. I now regularly receive messages from girls who’ve taken up kitesurfing or want to learn because of my videos. Just recently, I met a family from Switzerland on the beach. Their 13-year-old daughter had never wanted to try kitesurfing before. After meeting me and finding out more about me later on, she took her first kitesurfing course. Stories like that make me incredibly happy. Above all, I want to convey to young girls that you can be athletic and feminine at the same time. You don’t have to pretend to be someone you’re not or be perfect to believe in yourself. It’s OK to fall over, make mistakes or fail sometimes – that’s exactly how you learn. Water sports, in particular, give you an incredible amount of self-confidence. When you’re out there on the water on your own, you rise above yourself. You not only learn the sport, but also get to know yourself better. On top of that, there’s the travelling, meeting people from all over the world, the healthy lifestyle and the many different cultures. That’s what makes the sport so special to me."

Among other things, you’ll be running a pumpfoil course at Interboot. Pumpfoiling is attracting more and more people. What makes this sport so appealing?

Alina Kornelli: “I find it absolutely fascinating how quickly pump foiling is growing right now. A major advantage is that you don’t need wind to do it. Basically, all you need is water and a place to launch from. This makes the sport much more flexible and accessible than many other water sports. What’s more, you need far less equipment. You just take your board with you and you’re ready to go.
And, of course, it just looks spectacular. Flying over the water without a sail, kite or motor … it feels almost unreal. The sensation is incredibly close to flying. I think that’s exactly what fascinates so many people. Getting started is challenging, though. Pump foiling requires patience and practice, and ideally someone to show you the ropes. But if you stick with it, the feeling on the foil is worth every minute.”
 

Impressions

Trendy sports are often seen as particularly open and straightforward. Do you find that to be the case too?

Alina Kornelli: “I do think the community is very open. In water sports in particular, people help each other out and are delighted when newcomers join. As for the sport itself, though, I’d say it often looks easier than it actually is. Pump foiling, in particular, is quite technically demanding, and you should take the time to learn the basics properly. But with patience and good guidance, anyone can really do it.”

How important are events like Interboot for overcoming reservations and getting people excited about water sports?

Alina Kornelli: “I think events like this are incredibly important. Of course, you can reach a lot of people via social media, but ultimately everything happens digitally there. Nothing can replace face-to-face interaction. At trade fairs like Interboot, people can ask questions, try out sports for themselves and simply strike up conversations with other water sports enthusiasts. It’s precisely this that often leads to exciting discussions, new projects or simply the motivation to try something new themselves. Especially in an age where so much is digital and shaped by AI, I find real-life encounters all the more valuable.”

What are your next goals?

Alina Kornelli: “At the moment, I’m keeping my options open. I’d like to keep growing my social media accounts and my YouTube channel, and get even more people excited about water sports. I’d also like to keep developing as an athlete. This winter, I’d like to travel to various wave spots to further improve my surfing, wave kiting and foiling, because I find it incredibly enjoyable. And, of course, there’s also the question of whether I’ll try to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games again. That would, however, present a number of challenges, as the requirements in the Olympic class have changed and I’d need to significantly step up my physical game to meet them. That’s why this decision is still up in the air. The idea certainly appeals to me, but at the moment I’m also enjoying the freedom to take on new projects and develop in different directions. Right now, it’s really important to me to raise the profile of water sports again and to inspire lots of people through my influence."