How did you get into sailing?
Elena and Katharina: “We both got into sailing – independently of one another – through our siblings. Elena grew up on Lake Constance; her sister was her biggest role model. Once her sister had taken Elena along to her first Opti training session, that was it. Katharina sat in an Optimist for the first time whilst on holiday at Lake Achensee with her brother; after that, her first regatta in Portorož was quickly decided, and the rest was a foregone conclusion.”
What do you love about sailing?
Elena and Katharina: “What we love most about sailing is its versatility. No two days on the water are the same: the wind, waves and weather are constantly changing, forcing us to adapt again and again and make the right decisions. All this often takes place whilst under maximum physical strain and under intense pressure to make decisions. It’s precisely this dynamic that makes our sport so exciting and challenging. At the same time, it’s a special thrill to compete against the world’s best female sailors and push ourselves to our limits every day. Added to that is the unique closeness to nature: we spend countless hours on the water and have developed a strong connection to the seas and oceans as a result, which makes our sport something very special to us.”
Impressions
How do you experience sailing today – has it become more the norm for women, or are there still obstacles?
Elena and Katharina: “Compared to the past, a lot has definitely changed for us. We initially sailed in mixed-gender boat classes, where the proportion of men was significantly higher than that of women. Today we compete in an all-women’s class, which has changed the dynamics within the field. Nevertheless, the women’s field is still considerably smaller than the men’s, and in our view this is also due to structural reasons. A good example is the balance between competitive sport and family life. In the men’s field, there are many athletes who can continue their careers at the highest level even as fathers. For women, on the other hand, pregnancy inevitably means a break from competition and training, and making a comeback with a child is often much more difficult. In our view, better conditions and more support are needed here so that fewer female athletes have to choose between family and elite sport. Added to this are challenges that specifically affect women. In our boat class, a higher body weight is often a sporting advantage. At the same time, many female athletes face social pressure to conform to a very slim ideal of beauty. Dealing with these conflicting expectations is not always easy. Overall, sailing has become more accepted for women today than it was a few years ago, but there are still some hurdles we should be working to overcome."
What experiences have you had as young women in competitive sport?
Elena and Katharina: “As young women in competitive sport, we’ve learnt above all just how valuable trust and team spirit are. We’ve now been sailing together for nine years – an exceptionally long time – during which we’ve grown together. We’ve influenced each other along the way and, as a result, have developed into the people we are today. We’ve celebrated major successes and experienced incredible moments, but we’ve also weathered difficult periods. It’s precisely these highs and lows that have shaped us as a team and as individuals. Competitive sport means constantly dealing with expectations, pressure and setbacks. On top of that, we’ve also faced hostility and situations where we’ve had to stand our ground. At the same time, we’ve seen just how much you can achieve when you believe in yourself and support one another. That’s exactly what defines our journey: not that everything always goes perfectly, but that we tackle challenges together and emerge from them stronger time and time again."
In your opinion, what changes, if any, would need to be made to encourage even more girls and women to take up water sports?
Elena and Katharina: “We believe that the most important approach is to get girls excited about water sports from an early age and to make it as easy as possible for them to get started. In grassroots sport in particular, clubs can make a real difference by specifically addressing girls’ needs and offering them an environment in which they feel comfortable and are likely to stick with the sport in the long term. In our view, however, this isn’t about separating girls and boys as a matter of principle, but about creating equal opportunities and good conditions for everyone. At the same time, there needs to be greater visibility for successful female sailors. Role models play a major role: when young girls see what women can achieve in our sport, they often have more confidence in their own abilities. That is why we would like to see more media coverage of women’s sailing overall and greater attention paid to the female athletes who are already competing successfully at the highest level today. This can help make the sport even more attractive and accessible for the next generation in the long term."
What role do events such as Interboot play for young sailors?
Katharina Schwachhofer & Elena Stoltze
It means a great deal to us to be part of Interboot. For us, it’s a special opportunity not only to talk about our sport, but also about the values that drive us.
Elena and Katharina: “Interboot also has a very personal significance for us. Elena was honoured here as an Optimist sailor for her achievements, and later we were honoured together in the 29er class. It’s moments like these that really stick in your memory. Especially as a young girl, it’s something special to receive recognition for your passion on such a big stage. It’s incredibly motivating and shows that dedication and hard work pay off. What’s more, events like Interboot are incredibly important because they raise the profile of sailing. They bring together young talent, elite athletes, clubs, companies and sailing enthusiasts, and create opportunities for exchange and new connections. For many young sailors, it is precisely this kind of encounter or honour that can provide the impetus to pursue their own dreams in the sport."
What does it mean to you to be at Interboot?
Elena and Katharina: “It means a great deal to us to be part of Interboot. For us, it’s a special opportunity not only to talk about our sport, but also about the values that drive us: teamwork, perseverance, a willingness to perform, and how we tackle challenges. If we can inspire people with our story or get them excited about sailing, that’s something very valuable. At the same time, it’s a great honour for us to be part of an event like Interboot. It gives us the chance to raise the profile of sailing – and women’s sailing in particular – and to engage with people who share our passion or who may be just discovering it.”