Viki Wolffhardt
“I think my closest rival is myself. I try to paddle for myself and for the great feeling I get while paddling.”
Name: Viki Wolffhardt
Date of Birth: 26.6.1994
Hometown: Tulln, Lower Austria; Austria
Sport/Discipline: Canoe Slalom; K1 and C1
How many years training in canoe? 2 years
How many days/week do you train in canoe?
In the last couple of years we focused on K1. Now we also include C1-sessions in my weekly training.
Do you do any other physical activity besides canoeing?
I tried many sports when I was young. We try to include different kinds of sports in my training to make it more interesting and enjoyable. Especially in winter, when it is too cold to train on the water, we go cross country skiing for example.
Do you do any mental training, to complement physical training?
Not really. Of course I have some rituals during a competition but I don’t have a special mental coach or so.
“I hope that more girls will decide to paddle C1 in the future so it will become an Olympic discipline.”
No.
Who is your closest rival?
There are so many really good paddlers around the world who are able to perform well. I think my closest rival is myself. I try not to focus on other girls (which is hard sometimes). I try to paddle for myself and for the great feeling I get while paddling. Of course training is not always fun but the most important thing is that I enjoy what I am doing.
Accomplishments to date:
2009: 25th place, World Championships in La Seu d’Urgell, Spain – K1
2010: 3rd place, Youth Olympic Games in Singapore -K1
1st place, Junior European Championships in Leipzig, Germany – C1
6th place, Junior European Championships in Leipzig, Germany – K1
3rd place, U-23 European Championships in Leipzig, Germany – K1-Team
2011: 16th place, World Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia, K1
2nd place, European Championships in La Seu d’Urgell, Spain – K1 Team
(with Corinna Kuhnle and Violetta Oblinger-Peters)
1st place, Junior European Championships in Banja Luka, Bosnia – C1
4th place, Junior European Championships in Banja Luka, Bosnia – K1
2nd place, U23 European Championships in Banja Luka, Bosnia – K1-Team
2012: Austrian Champion – K1
3rd place, Junior World Championships in Wausau, USA – K1
4th place, Junior World Championships in Wausau, USA – C1
Goals for 2012 and beyond:
Paddling as well as I can!
Who is your role model?
Bode Miller, Peter Kauzer
Favorite music/books/movies?
I listen to almost all music-genres. I listen to music both during training and competitions or just to relax. I do not stick to any special book-types either. Sometimes I read thrillers, sometimes novels with historical backgrounds, sometimes in English, sometimes in German. I really like watching movies when I find some time to do that. My favourite films are “Avatar” and “Million Dollar Baby” with Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman.
How many years do you plan to compete in canoe?
I haven’t thought about that yet. As long as I enjoy it, I guess. The time will show…
What is your message to the world regarding women in canoe?
I hope that more girls will decide to paddle C1 in the future so it will become an Olympic discipline.
Facebook Posts
- "Las ganas de ganar son importantes, pero las ganas de prepararse son vitales."... October 28, 2014"Las ganas de ganar son importantes, pero las ganas de prepararse son vitales." ("The desire to win is important, but the urge to get ready is vital.") ~Abigail Morales, Vera Cruz, Mexico. This is a Champion mindset!
- Please read this fantastic article by Mabel Borga - Argentina's Canoe (single bl... October 28, 2014Please read this fantastic article by Mabel Borga - Argentina's Canoe (single blade) Coach for men and women. Article title: "Development of the canoe in Argentina" http://copaconline.com/es/ She is working hard to develop canoeists (single blade paddlers) in a country dominated by kayakers, and doing this in an environment dominated by men. A
- Dry land and strength training and conditioning continues in Aragua, Venezuela.... October 27, 2014Dry land and strength training and conditioning continues in Aragua, Venezuela. This is a great way to teach the canoe stroke! Thank you for sharing Canotaje Aragua! We look forward to seeing more female canoeists from Venezuela racing in 2015! The Pan American Games are in Toronto. Hope to see you there!1ER CHEQUEO DE LA ESCUELA DE CANOTAJE INSAJUV.With Fed
- Great racing at the 2014 Fall Feeder Slalom Classic on the Potomac River (Bethes... October 27, 2014Great racing at the 2014 Fall Feeder Slalom Classic on the Potomac River (Bethesda, Maryland, USA). Congratulations Ashley Nee on winning both the C1 and K1 Women's Open class. Maya Humeau (pictured) finished 2nd, and Marcella Altmann, 3rd. Maya also won the K1W U14/U16 class. Marcela won the K1W U10 class. While Seu Jacobi finished 4th in the C1W Open,