The turbulent life of the South Tyrolean bobsleigh lady

In 2006, Gerda Weißensteiner wrote South Tyrolean bobsleigh history at the Winter Olympics in Turin. As a two-man bobsleigh pilot, she won the bronze medal. After that, things became quiet for a long time in women's bobsleigh sport in South Tyrol. Until 2019. Since then, Anna Schenk from Val Gardena has been part of the Italian women's national bobsleigh team.

“It was during running training in the summer of 2019 when I was discovered, so to speak,” reflects the 26-year-old from Wolkenstein. In her childhood and early adolescence she was an athlete; it was only in 2019 that she started playing sports again after a break of several years to have children.

It was Alex Verginer from Val Badia, who also used to be a track and field athlete and has been competing as a pusher in the Bobsleigh World Cup for several years, who invited the then 25-year-old to bobsleigh training. Schenk was enthusiastic and completed her first attempts during dry training at the push facility in Cortina. “I achieved great times,” reflects Schenk. The coaching team was enthusiastic and that's how everything took its course. The talented pusher was accepted into the extended women's national team and completed the first European Cup races in November 2019, at that time with pilot Tania Vicenzino.

Pusher Anna Schenk (back) and pilot Tania Vicenzino. © ibsf

Schenk celebrated her World Cup debut in January 2020, also with Vicenzino as a pilot. The duo ended up in 14th and last place, but: “Being there was everything. It was a great experience to compete in the World Cup.” From then on, Schenk did everything he could to constantly improve. “I learned a lot in my first bobsleigh season and know that every ride through the ice track is a challenge,” she emphasizes.

Giada Andreutti (left) and Anna Schenk during dry training. © ibsf

Since this season, Schenk has been the number 1 pusher in Italy's national team. Because Vicenzino is out this season due to an injury, she is competing with Giada Andreutti. Schenk achieved her best World Cup result to date with 10th place in Igls in December. And all this despite a congenital eye disease, cone-rod dystrophy. This limits their vision. “It's not a problem when pushing and I leave the steering to others anyway,” she says in a relaxed manner. Family, sport and work The woman from Val Gardena consciously concentrates on pushing. “I’m simply more efficient as a pusher and brakewoman,” she knows. It is also ideal for her to balance sport, work and family. The 26-year-old is a mother of two. She had her son Fabian in 2011 at the age of 16. Son Luca followed in 2013. “Family planning is largely completed and I can concentrate on bobsleigh,” she laughs. That's why she doesn't take part in all the World Cup races and is currently skipping the European Cup entirely. “I usually spend two weeks traveling with the bobsleigh team and then another two to three weeks at home in the winter,” explains Schenk. At home, in addition to the family, there is also a lot to do professionally, so the native of Val Gardena works in the local restaurant. “Family, sport and working in the family business can be easily combined,” she says.

Anna Schenk still has many goals. “A big goal is of course the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing,” she explains. In the medium term, it is also important to establish yourself in the top 10 and to be able to keep up with the best bobsleighs in the world. And who knows, maybe sooner or later we'll have a say in the podium places - and thus write another piece of South Tyrolean sports history.

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The turbulent life of the South Tyrolean bobsleigh lady

2 children, work in the local restaurant and at high speed through the ice track: Anna Schenk from Val Gardena is probably unique in bobsleighing.

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