About me
Sport has always been a big part of my life: athletics, cross-country running, cross-country skiing, fencing, windsurfing, mountain biking, whitewater kayaking, paragliding, all kinds of mountain sports – whatever it was, I had to try it. I also became military world champion in orienteering for my native country, Belgium. As part of my work with the Belgian military, I was also able to lead many expeditions and mountain climbs. For example, I was at the summit of Mont Blanc 16 times. In 1992, I climbed the 8,201 m high Cho Oyu without artificial oxygen – as one of the few women ever to do so.
My great love has always been skiing, which is why I came to Mühlbach every year to ski before and then with my family, where we then moved in 2010. After my diagnosis, it was clear that sport was still a part of me. I became two-time vice world champion in paraskiing in 2022 and represented Belgium at the Paralympics in Beijing. There, with my daughter Ulla as a sight guide, who stepped in at short notice, I took three top 10 places.
After a serious knee injury, I had to hang up my professional skis. Attending an INKletter event, I found my way back to climbing and was hooked immediately. I have been on the Austrian Paraclimbing National Team since 2023. In my second season, I achieved my first World Cup victory in Innsbruck on June 25, 2024. On the last world cup of the season, I could secure another gold medal in Arco.
I currently live with my assistance dog “Buddy” in Rif near Hallein, very close to the Olympic Training Center, where I train regularly. I go to Vienna almost every week to train with my sight guide at the “Kletterhalle Wien“. I also go climbing to many gyms in Salzburg and the surrounding area, such as the climbing gym felsenfest in Saalfelden, to Mondsee, Berchtesgaden, etc. I also go to Graz at least once a month to train with my national coach.
I work as a freelancer for the Austrian Alpine Association in the “Alpine Association Inclusive” project and in the INKlettern team of the Alpine Association Youth.
On this page you can find out more about me and what I have experienced privately and in sports 🙂
Sporting career
Successes in para sports
Paraclimbing
1st Place IFSC Worldcup Arco 2024
1st Place IFSC Worldcup Innsbruck 2024 (first WC victory)
1st Place Masters in Uster (CH) 2023 und 2024
1st Place Masters in Imst 2023
2nd Place IFSC Worldcup Villars 2023 (second WC appearance)
3rd Place IFSC European Championships Villars 2024
4th Platz IFSC Worldcup Innsbruck 2023 (first WC appearance)
4th Platz IFSC World Championships Bern 2023
3x Austrian National Champion 2023, 2024, 2025
Paraski
1st Place Super-G FIS Para Alpine Race – Tyrolian Championships 2023
1st Place GS FIS Para Alpine Race – Typrolian Championships 2023
1st Place Slalom FIS Para Alpine Race – Tyrolian Championships 2023
2nd Place World Downhill – World Para Snow Sports Championships 2021 (Lillehammer, Noraway)
2nd Place World Super-G – World Para Snow Sports Championships 2021 (Lillehammer, Norway)
2nd Place FIS Para Alpine Skiing – NC Austrian Championships 2023
2nd Place FIS Para Alpine Skiing – FIS Race Zauchensee, 31.03.2023
5th, 6th and 7th Place Paralympics Beijing 2022 – Super Combined, Downhill and Super-G
Personal milestones
Born in Belgium
I was born on July 20, 1964 in Wilrijk, Belgium, as one of two children. I lived in various places in Belgium until 2010.
Joining the Belgian Army
At the age of 15, I joined the Belgian military - as one of the first women (or girls at the time). After the first few years of training, I was soon able to start my sports training. For many years, I worked in the military as a sports instructor in the areas of mountain sports, skiing, whitewater kayaking, etc.
Bachelor in Sports Science
Since I have always been fascinated by sport, it was almost clear that I would also pursue a career in it. I completed my studies in sports science in the Belgian military. I then worked for the Bavarian mountain rescue service and as a ski instructor in Austria.
Birth of my daughter Ulla
My daughter is now living in Innsbruck, is a state-certified ski instructor and works in mountain rescue. She is also a professional freerider and, like me, is crazy about the mountains.
Birth of my son Enak
My son also did a lot of skiing when he was younger and competed in freestyle events. He is a trained structural engineer (bricklayer) and lives in Mühlbach.
Leaving the military
For 29 years in the Belgian military, I was not only able to take care of sports training, but I also always acted as a pioneer for women in the military. In 2008, however, I decided to take a different path and left the army.
Moving to Austria
After many years of skiing holidays in Austria, we moved as a family to Mühlbach in 2010. It was a big but above all nice change for everyone. Our horses came with us from Belgium.
Diagnosis of macular degeneration
One day I thought my ski pole was bent, until it became clear relatively quickly that there was something wrong with my eyes. The diagnosis was initially quite devastating. Finding out at the age of 48 that I would probably lose almost all of my eyesight was quite a shock.
But my strong will to achieve anything allowed me to take a new, albeit different, path in my life with the help of sport.
Paralympics in Beijing
An absolute highlight were the 2022 Paralympic Games in Beijing. Due to an administrative problem, I was unable to be guided there by my usual guide. Therefore, my chances of a medal were slim. I was all the happier that my daughter Ulla stepped in at short notice 4 days before the competition and we were able to get three top 7 places.
Paraclimbing Gold
After just over a year in the Austrian Paraclimbing Team, I was able to win my first gold medal at the IFSC Paraclimbing World Cup in Innsbruck on June 25, 2024. It was an incredible experience! Right afterwards, I was able to secure another gold medal in Arco to end the season on a high note.
Picture Gallery
How can you support me?
Disabled sports, and paraclimbing in particular, still have to survive with very little financial support for athletes. Therefore, I welcome any form of support to help me train as best as possible and achieve my athletic goals. Funding for my sight guides, without whom I can't climb, falls largely on my shoulders. Equipment sponsorships, financial donations, and discounts on entry fees, etc., all help!
If you would like to support me as a private individual or as a company, please write an email, use the contact form or support me directly on my gofundme campaign. We can agree on very individual benefits, such as: joint activities, photos, social media mentions, logo placement on the team clothing, head sponsoring or logo placement on my chalk bag or harness.
