The most successful rower had to be an entrepreneur

Somehow it is strange. After a week-long, almost month-long high-pressure weather situation has been reported in the Winter with reproduction. The color White dominates the Scenery in the Canton of Obwalden in Sarnen, you'll have to carve his way in the snowstorm.

Somehow this absurdity fits the occasion. Jeannine Gmelin will not inform you about the latest developments, but about the normal preparations to the year prior to the Olympic Games. And not, as usual, at the seat of the rowing Association, but a large stone's throw away, with its main sponsor, the Obwalden Chancellery Kantonalbank.

sleepless nights

Two months have passed since the rupture between the Swiss Rowing and Gmelin. Robin Dowell, the British coach, for your rise to world number 1, was released – after a months-long conflict. Thus, the Ustermerin was missing suddenly, the sporty reference person, even a withdrawal could not be ruled out. "This Moment was the low point," she says, "because I had shed sleepless nights and a few tears."

After the media Outcry, it was Years of quiet again to the 28. It was clear that she would not make it in the current Association structure, and the two parties were looking for solutions. Gmelin began to worry about their private team, trained but for the time being, alone. At the beginning of March, she received the permission that Dowell could take care of you up to the end of his contract at the SRV at the end of April. After the successful Duo will work on together. "Robin will supervise me in the attorney-client relationship," says Gmelin.

to Generate new funds is difficult. Even as a large Swiss medal hope.

she is in a good mood, it is obvious that A load is de-energized. "I was running with many open questions by the world," she says, "now I'm back to stability and security." This is especially important also, because she had an Appendix operation and back problems behind with my Training.

Many training courses abroad

the focus of their lives will keep you in Obwalden, "here is my choice of home, here I feel good when I see the Pilatus or the Bürgenstock. This is important to me, it has to do with the Sport." Will train you now, but much more common abroad, first in Spain, then in North Italy, specifically in the Metropolitan area of Varese, where they find ideal conditions will find.

on the way, you will be with Dowell and with volunteer support. So you will accompany a chef to Spain. In General, you have said in the past few months, a lot of people support. "This has done me in this Phase very well," she says.

Not least, this Support is also financially important. The expenses are increased as a result of the new Situation, and by the Association are aligned to the new private team any payments, other than this was, for example, in the case of Mujinga Kambundji and the athletics Association.

In the low six-digit range, the amount of a success at the end of the season, promise is necessary. In addition to the support of the army, the sports aid and its sponsors to Generate new funds is difficult, as one of the largest Swiss medal hopes.

A five-digit amount is still open, is it on the part of their Management Agency Samm Group. The more valuable the support of Roger Achermann is: the President of The RC type called a patron of the Association.

Classic single fighter

row is in many ways a team sport, especially in the Skiff but also individual fighters. Seen in this way, the difference on the water is manageable, and finally rowed Gmelin alone, was often the only woman. Greater is the difference in the country. She was involved for many years in a fixed structure, and made the leap into the world of lace, is now classic single fighter. Everything that was taken previously, it must now do for yourself, the athlete was forced to become an entrepreneur.

it was not easy, she says: "It takes a lot of time and energy, and this time is missing to me in the Regeneration." From the optimal condition, it is still far: "I'm already on the Swim."

From the Association, there is a boat

The points of contact with the SRV will be only small. The Association will continue to make the selections, see you at the races, and Gmelin, where it can take the medical support. You also get a second boat.

That one goes in the same direction, is clear: "The Association and I, we both want to my success." Up to the world Cup in August it will work, then "we draw up an interim balance sheet". In the ideal case, the new structure up to Tokyo 2020.

the question Remains, what remains of the last few months. "It's an experience," says Gmelin, "which will bring me very much. I am convinced that there has always been, if you have to fight through that for a reason. At some point I will be able to experience this."

(editing Tamedia)

Created: 05.04.2019, 14:27 PM