Who is Maxi Räuchle?

What made you start windsurfing and when was that?

I have always been very enthusiastic about water sports. I got my sailing licence on the Opti at the age of ten. After a surfing course on Lake Garda in 2014, I knew that windsurfing would become my great passion.

You were sailing before windsurfing. What's better about windsurfing?

The feeling of the water, the freedom, the speed and the unlimited possibilities that windsurfing offers, e.g. for manoeuvres.

You come from Heidenheim. Not exactly a hot spot. Where is the nearest spot where you can windsurf?

We really aren't blessed with good spots and good wind conditions here. We have the Lechstaustufe and the Brombachsee, which are about 60 minutes' drive away. In the meantime, however, Lake Garda has established itself as my training spot. I love this lake. I can also do other sports there to complement my surf training.

When did you take part in your first regatta and what fascinates you about the competition?

The 2017 Italian Youth Slalom Championships on Lake Garda was my first regatta. What fascinates me about the competition is that I can measure myself against others and recognise my training progress and potential for improvement. I get to know a lot of people and meet friends who share my passion.

As a South German, it is very time-consuming to take part in the DWC. Last season you took part in the two cups on Sylt. Where else do you gain racing experience and how many days of surfing do you get in a year?

We are well connected from our place of residence. But of course we often have to travel long distances. I try to go to as many regattas as possible. This includes the International Funboard Association (IFCA) series, the regattas in Switzerland and the Italian events. This year I'll be doing around 70 windsurfing days.

You competed in the only World Cup of the year so far in Croatia. Were you happy with your performance there?

Before the World Cup, I wasn't worried about the ranking. The aim was to gain experience. Up until the World Cup in Croatia, I had been on the water for a maximum of ten days, had no training and had only done one race with a 3rd place in the U21 classification with foil on Lake Walen. After switching from Point-7 to Severne this season, I had relatively little experience with the new equipment. Fortunately, it went really well. Everything was perfect. The equipment felt great and I was highly motivated.

You attend a sports high school in Heidenheim. What advantages does this have for you as a windsurfer?

My school fully supports me and I get time off for every race and for winter training. As we have a lot of athletes at my school and the football boarding school is also affiliated, everyone here is very open-minded.

Can you combine school and your passion for windsurfing?

Of course, it requires a lot of discipline, especially when I come back late from surfing on Sundays and have to concentrate fully on school again on Monday. However, having learnt this from my ski races from a young age, it works quite well.

By opting for foiling at the Olympics, there is suddenly a new, attractive goal for a windsurfing career in addition to the World Cup. Do you have ambitions in this direction?

I'm still not quite sure whether I want to go down this route. My focus is on sailing international regattas. I will certainly take part in a few international iQFOiL competitions next year. But there's also the PWA... My training focus is currently on foil and I'm waiting to see what happens next.

Do you also enjoy freestyle or waves?

I first started with freestyle and was really enthusiastic. After I tried out a slalom board from my dad in 2016, I was more or less done with freestyle. I rode the waves a few times in Tenerife and on the North Sea. Due to the now intensive slalom and foil training, wave and freestyle have unfortunately been neglected.

What are the biggest problems for you as a young windsurfer?

As I am not yet 18 years old, I always need a chauffeur. My father is always at my side. We are a well-rehearsed team and always travel together.

How do your parents support you?

Without the support of my parents, the sport would not be possible for me at all. My father drives me to Lake Garda at weekends for training and of course to all the races

You're doing your A-levels next year. Have you already thought about the time after that?

After I graduate in May 2021, I will take a year to concentrate fully on windsurfing. I'll start studying in 2022 and then try to combine my studies with windsurfing. I definitely want to do a degree programme where I will have a lot to do with people in my future career.

INFO-BOX

• Age: 17 years
• Place of residenceHeidenheim
• ProfessionPupils
• Size/weight: 182 cm/75 kilos
• Surfing since: 2014
• Regatta debut: 2017
• Favourite spots: Lake Garda, Tenerife
• HobbiesWater sports, skiing, mountain biking, KravMaga
• SponsorsStarboard, Severne, Dreamland, Heidenheimer Zeitung
• Instagram: maxiraeuchle_ger200
• Facebook: Maxi Räuchle