Celebrating Success Together – Our Verival Athletes 1.0

We have been supporting Austrian athletes for years and love to observe their careers and celebrate their successes with them. This year, we can be really proud of our boys and girls again because they have achieved a lot. We support our athletes with delicious Verival breakfast products and our Verival Sport Range products so that they are well catered for in their sporting activities. In this first part, we would like to introduce you to some of our athletes in a little more detail and review the year with them. Today we introduce you to these five athletes: Babsi Zangerl, Johanna Hiemer, Johannes Hirschbichler, Lisa Hörbinger, and Alexandra Hauser.

Babsi Zangerl

Brief introduction

Babsi Zangerl, 31 years old, alpine climbing/sport climbing

Why did you choose this sport?

Actually, I originally came from bouldering. When I started climbing, I only focused on bouldering, which was my favorite activity at the time. I liked the playful aspect of bouldering; being out in nature with friends and doing gymnastics on the boulders. Due to a back injury, I initially started rope climbing at the age of 19 for therapeutic purposes, but soon I found a new passion for it. Over the years, I have been drawn more and more into the really big walls. There, I love the mental as well as physical challenges and above all the adventure that climbing the big wall brings, which is what fascinates me most about this sport.

Since when do you do this sport? Since when professional?

I have been climbing for 17 years; at the age of 14, my big brother took me to the bouldering hall for the first time. From then on, I was also regularly climbing. When I was 16, I got my first sponsorship contract, and when I was 25, I could "more or less" live from climbing.

What achievements have you been able to celebrate this season?

What were the biggest challenges this year?

It is yet to come! In November, I will try a free ascent of the "Nose" at El Capitan...

Preview for next year, what's next?

Favorite Verival product

Spelt crunchy , date confectionery

Johanna Hiemer

Brief introduction

My name is Johanna Hiemer and I am 24 years old. I am a ski mountaineer for Team Dynafit.

Why did you choose this sport?

Ski mountaineering is my passion because you are out in nature with the skis. After a strenuous climb, there is always a nice descent.

Since when do you do this sport? Since when professional?

I have been ski mountaineering for 6 years. I have never practiced the sport professionally. Since I became a mom, my priorities have shifted anyway.

What achievements have you been able to celebrate this season?

Eight weeks after giving birth, I was back in a vertical race and was even able to win it. After that, there were two international team races in which I was able to reach 4th place. (Sellaronda & Mezzalama)

What were the biggest challenges this year?

The biggest challenge is being a mom and staying athletic at the same time. 😉

Next winter, of course, I want to do some races again.

Favorite Verival product

all cereals

Johannes Hirschbichler

Brief introduction

Name: Johannes Hirschbichler
Place of residence: Weissbach near Lofer
Sport: Road cycling
Team: Cycling Team Tyrol

Why did you choose this sport?

I started cycling at 18, just for fun with a friend.

Since when do you do this sport? Since when professional?

In the beginning, I was hobby racing, then I obtained an amateur license, and since 2018, I have been competing in the elite. We run national and international road races, Bundesliga, tours, etc. I am enthusiastic about the speed and the fact that you can drive relatively large laps with your own power. The training is great in nature and in the fresh air.

What achievements have you been able to celebrate this season?

My greatest success is certainly the bronze medal this year at the state championships in the individual time trial among the professionals, and also the start at the European Championship in the individual time trial in Holland. I also became the Tyrolean champion in the individual time trial.

Preview for next year, what's next?

For next season, of course, I want to step up again and work hard on myself over the next few months.

Favorite Verival product

Grain-Free Sport Muesli Almond Fig

Lisa Hörbinger

Brief introduction

Lisa Hörbinger, triathlon/running, TrumerTriTeam or Naturefriends Wals

Why did you choose this sport?

I have been running since I was a child, although not always regularly. Out of curiosity, I then tried a triathlon at the age of 23 and "fell in love" with this sport. The appealing thing is the combination of the three sports – the training is therefore extremely varied and for a good result on race day, everything simply "has to fit", e.g. the quick change from one sport to another is always a challenge.

Since when do you do this sport? Since when professional?

I grew up in a real running family and was able to try out numerous sports in my childhood, where I was always at the start of children's and school runs. It really "clicked" in my early 20s, so I started to run a little more – at the age of 23, I started my first triathlon. From then on, everything went as if by itself – I just realized that you can really achieve a lot with training and push yourself. I would now describe myself as an ambitious amateur athlete and have been allowed to start twice at the Age Group European Championships for Austria in the last two years. I have been training with a training plan since 2016, but still, the fun is always in the foreground for me... I am not a competitive athlete.

What achievements have you been able to celebrate this season?

At the half marathon in Linz, I was able to significantly undercut my goal of running under 1:45 with a time of 1:43:44 – I think that was one of the most beautiful moments of this season. But I was also able to look forward to some successes in triathlon – with 6 age group podium finishes in 8 races. I notice that I'm getting better every season – and that spurs me on to always set new goals and train even when it might not be that much fun.

What were the biggest challenges this year?

I have to submit my master's thesis at the beginning of December and thus complete my part-time studies, which of course, always cost me a lot of time (on the weekends). That's why I'm already looking forward to 2020 when I can finally train more on Fridays and Saturdays without lectures.

Preview for next year, what's next?

Actually, I'm already qualified for the Age Group European Championship over the sprint distance in Malmö – but in recent weeks, the idea of tackling my first middle distance in 2020 has somehow taken hold. So maybe it will be a start at Ironman 70.3 in Zell am See instead of travelling to Malmö. In addition, of course, I would like to improve my current personal best times a bit – there is certainly still a lot to do.

Favorite Verival product

Verival Sport Porridge Chocolate Banana

Alexandra Hauser

Brief introduction

Hello, my name is Alexandra, I am 24 years old, and I live and work in the beautiful Tyrol. By profession, I have been an operating sister for almost 3 years, and as a balance and hobby, I practice competitive sports in the areas of mountain and trail running and ski mountaineering. Since 2019, I have been able to work with Team Salomon.

Why did you choose this sport?

Sport has always been a part of my life. I loved trying out different sports. In the end, I liked running the best. It freed me in a way that still inspires me today. Especially in a difficult family time, it gave me a lot of strength, power, and creativity.

Since when do you do this sport? Since when professional?

Running this sport professionally has never been an issue for me. Until one day, a young man motivated me to participate in a fun race. And yes, that's how my athletic career began. At first, there were only 10 km laps on the road, and then the trails and paths in the forest seduced me, even on the mountain. I ran my first running race in 2016 and my first ski touring race in 2017. I would say that I have been running professionally for 2 years.

What achievements have you been able to celebrate this season?

My biggest success this season was definitely the World Cup in the Grossglockner mountain run, where I finished 3rd in the women's category. Other successes in the 2019 season were a win at the Vertical Up in Kitzbühel, victory at the Trailrunning Festival over the 17 km route in Innsbruck, a 3rd place in the mountain running championship, a 3rd place in the International Kitzbüheler Hornlauf, victory in the glacier trail in Obergurgl over the 22 km, and a 2nd place in the mountain run, victory in the Redbull Almaaufrieb, 7th place in the European Championship Vertical, and 5th place in the Drei Zinnenlauf. In the overall classification of the WMR Mountain Running Association, I was in 3rd place overall with only 2 out of 6 races to be contested. Now the winter season is already waiting for me.

What were the biggest challenges this year?

The biggest challenge for me is always ensuring adequate regeneration time.

Preview for next year, what's next?

Next year and also this winter, great races and experiences await me again.

Favorite Verival product

Strawberry Chia Porridge

We are proud of what Babsi Zangerl, Johanna Hiemer, Johannes Hirschbichler, Lisa Hörbinger, and Alexandra Hauser have achieved this year. We wish you continued success next year!