team

Diario di un roadtrip

Journey, Emotions, and Preparation of Two Athletes

Sud Africa: un’occhiata dietro le quinte con i nostri team rider.

Preparati per i momenti indimenticabili della nostra ultima avventura in Sud Africa! I nostri team rider si sono imbarcati in un roadtrip epico, catturando paesaggi mozzafiato, azione e momenti dietro le quinte con le loro macchine analogiche. Questo blog post offre uno scorcio unico all’interno del loro viaggio, completato da una playlist di Spotify per mantenere alto l’umore lungo la strada.

Che tu stia ricordando avventure passate o sognandone di nuove, fatti coinvolgere da una storia che ti ispirerà a partire!

Dreams and Beginnings

Both Andy and Jannis started their athletic journeys young, driven by a deep love for their sports. Andy, a 28-year-old surfer, grew up on the beaches near the Spain-France border, where he first experienced the thrill of surfing at 10. Despite the long, often inconsistent waves of his hometown, his passion only grew, leading him to qualify for the 2024 Games after 18 years of dedication.

Jannis, a talented kiteboarder from Germany, also found his passion early on. The freedom and challenge of harnessing the wind fueled his desire to compete at the highest level. His journey to Paris was marked by relentless training and a steadfast commitment to excellence.

Emotions and Anticipation

With the Games just around the corner, both athletes are riding a wave of emotions. Andy shared his gratitude and excitement, saying, "I am super grateful for everything I have lived so far on this journey. It’s a completely new situation for me, and I’m embracing it with open arms." Balancing the fear of the unknown with the thrill of competing on the world stage, Andy stays focused on the positive.

Jannis is feeling it too—a mix of excitement and determination. Representing his country and competing against the best in the world brings a sense of pride and anticipation. Both athletes can’t wait to see their hard work pay off and to experience the camaraderie and spirit of the Games.

Rigorous Preparation

Getting ready for the Games is no joke. Andy’s training revolves around the waves. He’s currently in Portugal, taking advantage of consistent wave conditions to sharpen his skills. His prep includes a combo of surfing, gym workouts, and rest. "Consistency in training brings the best results," Andy emphasized. His routine is meticulously planned, ensuring he’s always ready to perform at his peak.

Jannis’s training is equally intense, with a mix of on-water practice and physical conditioning. He’s ready for anything, making sure he’s in top shape both physically and mentally. Overcoming various challenges, Jannis has developed a solid routine that keeps him ready for whatever comes his way.

Rituals and Motivation

Both athletes have their go-to rituals to stay focused and calm before competitions. For Andy, music is a big part of his pre-competition routine, helping him get into the right mindset. He also values rest, stopping gym workouts a week before events to ensure he’s fully recuperated. His motivation? A desire to continually find his best version and push his limits. "To find out my best version, to see how far I can go, this is what wakes me up every morning," he said.

Jannis also has his pre-competition rituals that help him stay centered. His motivation comes from a desire to push his limits and achieve his personal best, inspired by the thought of standing on the podium.

Successes and Setbacks

Every athlete's journey is marked by highs and lows. For Andy, one of his top moments was at the World Championship in Puerto Rico, where he and his teammates celebrated significant achievements. Handling setbacks with a focus on preparation and discipline, Andy sees each challenge as a chance to grow. "I think my biggest challenge was believing that when the opportunity shows up, I’ll be ready for it," he reflected.

Jannis sees every setback as a learning opportunity, using each experience to fuel his drive for success. His resilience and dedication shine through in his commitment to improving and achieving his goals.

The Final Countdown

As the Games approach, both Andy and Jannis are in the final stages of their preparation. Andy’s immediate plans involve final preparations with his team before heading to Paris. He is set to leave with his team ten days before the competition starts, with training scheduled until the start of the window. His bag is packed with essentials, including a custom-made ION protection wetsuit. Specifically developed to protect Andy from the gnarly reef in Teahupo’o whilst providing the maximum freedom of movement.

Jannis, similarly, has a tightly packed schedule filled with training sessions and strategy meetings. His equipment includes the Sonar seat harness. Jannis co-developed the harness himself working closely together with the ION product development team. The Sonar is especially targeted to high-speed foiling. Thanks to its low center of gravity, athletes can apply maximum pressure on their boards to reach maximum speeds. It is not only trusted by Jannis, but also by other Kite racing Olympians such as Bruno Lobo from Brazil. Both athletes are ready to face the challenges ahead, equipped with the best gear and the unwavering support of their teams.

The Journey

The journeys of Andy Criere and Jannis Maus to the Paris 2024 Games are a testament to their dedication and passion for their sports. Their stories highlight the emotions, preparations, and motivations that drive athletes to compete at the highest level. As they head to Paris, equipped with their trusted ION gear, they carry with them not just the hopes of their respective countries but also the true spirit of the Games. We wish them both the best of luck and look forward to cheering them on as they strive for gold.