In May, Heidi Ulrich from Switzerland set a new world record for the nautical mile in La Palme, and last November she achieved a new record on the canal in Lüderitz. Reason enough for Deutsche Welle to introduce the world's fastest female windsurfer in more detail.
The 15-minute portrait shows Heidi Ulrich training at home on Lake Uri. Always with her: her partner Christian Arnold, who learnt to speed surf especially for her and is always building new training equipment. With trail running, biking, SUP and of course as much time on the water as possible, the day is fully planned - especially as Heidi also works part-time. "My company is my biggest sponsor because they give me the freedom to work remotely," says Heidi.
That wasn't always the case. In 2019, the Swiss rider travelled to Namibia for the Lüderitz Speed Challenge for the first time, but missed the record there by a hair's breadth. At the same time, she was also working full-time as an HR manager. Back in Switzerland, she quit her job to concentrate fully on speed surfing - "the best decision of my life!"
However, due to the pandemic, it would be another three years before Heidi Ulrich travelled to Lüderitz again. In 2022, she was able to fulfil her dream on the penultimate day and break the record that had stood for over ten years. Despite the pursuit of top speed, one thing is important to her: always having fun on the water!
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Tobias Frauen
Editor
