3 questions to Heidi Ulrich

29/11/2022

By beating Zara Davis' record of 46.49 knots, the Swiss woman Heidi Ulrich made history by becoming the fastest female windsurfer at the Lüderitz Speed Challenge. She has been a windsurfing enthusiast for "only" 9 years and tells Windsurfjournal.com about her performance.

Windsurfjournal.com: What does this new record mean to you, which you wanted so much and for which you fought throughout the event?

Heidi Ulrich: A few days after the record, I still can't really realize it. I am extremely proud of myself that I gave up and kept fighting. Yes, a dream came true. A hard-fought dream. I was already in 2019 in Luderitz on the channel, and there I missed the world record by 0.3 knots. And therefore I said to myself. Now I will train for another 2 years, and then I will settle this open account. Patrik Diethelm made his own sails and fortunately Corona came, so we had one year more time to prepare for the channel and the world record with perfect material. This year it was difficult in Lüderitz. Unfortunately, the event started later than usual and lasts only 4 instead of 6 weeks. So we missed super windy days at the beginning of october. After the event started, there was no wind for 3 weeks, only light wind days. So it was very difficult to keep the concentration. On the first race day with wind up to 40 knots, the wind angle was super deep and there was incredibly high chop in the channel. Nevertheless, I came very close to the world record, or on the GPS I even cracked it. Just in the gates, it didn't work. So I knew, my material and I are ready as soon as a little better conditions come.

WJ: Can you tell us about the day on 25 November, when you broke Zara Davis' record twice?
HU: So the wind came on November 25. I started as usual as the first to get in. The wind was super square so 35 knots and I packed already 8 kg lead on the back to be able to hold the sail stable. Nevertheless, I was still too light. My friend packed me after the third run (the bur 43 knots was over 500 m) another 4 kg lead on the back and said : "Heidi, the wind turns to downwind, it is getting stronger now. Go straight again and stay on it." After the slinghot, I felt the wind filling the sail from behind and pushing me smoothly forward. It felt totally easy. And then in the finish. I couldn't believe my eyes... My gps showed 46.8 knots. So world record. I could not hold on any longer. We drove back to the start and there everyone was already waiting and cheering. After 5 minutes of cheering, I started again. And baaam. 47.2 on the GPS. Wow. I was beside myself. I took off again and then the chop in the canal was insane again.... I was in about 35-45 knots of wind on a 37 wide speedboard, 5.2 sail and an 18 fin. One day later I went again and made 4 runs over 46.5 knots. But unfortunately again in super choppy/wavy conditions. If the channel is a little less downwind, I think you can set some other records. So I know, you can go faster!

WJ: This new women's record is also a team effort... Can you tell us about Christian Arnold?
HU: I am proud of myself and my friend. I could never have done it without him. Thank you! Christian, we have been a dream team for almost seven years. Since I haven't been windsurfing for so long, and he knew my dream... He started speedsurfing for my sake. He is a sporting talent. After two years he could keep up with the big guys in La Franqui and that's only because he studied the stance/technique of the guys and taught himself everything. When he realised that it worked, he taught me the technique as well. He also did intensive mental training with me and always made sure that I didn't overdo it and that the fun remained in the foreground. Without him, none of this would have been possible! Love him!!! Not only the wet record means a lot to me. But also that I almost made the 50 knots in the maximum speed mot 49.94 knots and that I am the fastest windsurfing woman in the world with 49.3 knots over 2 sec. 0.9 knots faster than the 2nd placed Lena Erdil. That’s cool !

For more information on Heidi Ulrich: www.instagram.com/heidi_ulrich

Source: Heidi Ulrich
Photo: Jaco Wolmarans