Leona Berner

Two weeks of training in water skiing paradise

Leona Berner trained in Florida in perfect conditions.(Bild: Leona Berner)

Many would wish to escape the Salzburg weather and train in summer conditions in Florida. For Leona Berner, this has been a reality for the past two weeks. The water ski ace is fighting for a major highlight.

Leona Berner spent two weeks in the waterskiing mecca of Florida. Together with the sport's elite, the Strobl native trained in the best conditions for her big goal: the US Masters. She is the only European in her age group to qualify for the competition, which is considered the most prestigious event in water skiing.

Financially, the 17-year-old can consider herself very lucky. "Due to my previous successes, the Austrian Water Ski Association supports me as much as it can," says Berner, who is happy to have this opportunity. She trained with her coach Franz Oberleitner three to four times a day for around 30 minutes. That wasn't possible at home in winter, so another big hobby took center stage: "Typically Austrian, of course, on frozen water - I love skiing in winter."

In terms of sport, the recently turned 17-year-old is competing in the U21 for the first time this year, where she already had a taste of it last year.

Due to school, it was difficult to stay longer in the water skiing paradise. But the next trip to the USA is already waiting.