Schuler starts in top shape

Record-breaking all-around athlete Posch has to miss the season opener

The first highlight of the season is less than a month away with the Hypo all-around meeting in Götzner Mösle. The ÖLV heptathletes Ivona Dadic and Chiara Schuler will warm up at the Multistars meeting in Brescia (Italy). However, Austria's best all-around athlete of the previous season had to cancel her start at short notice.

"Of course, you never really know where you stand before the very first competition of the season," smiles Chiara Schuler ahead of the Multistars meeting at the weekend. "But after a mixed indoor season in terms of health, I'm now in top shape and I'm going to Brescia on Thursday with a good feeling." The 22-year-old has changed a few things in her preparation for the outdoor season.

More potential over 200 and 800 meters
"I've certainly never done as many runs as I have in the last few weeks," says the army athlete and also reveals the reason: "I've never been able to reach my true potential in the all-around in both the 800 and 200 meters. I often think far too much about the 200 instead of just running flat out." And a lot more would be possible in terms of points, especially in the 800 meters. "The first goal is to get into the range of my personal best of 2:21 minutes, and in the medium term I'm aiming for a 2:18 time." If the army athlete succeeds in this, the dream of the 6000-point mark also seems within her grasp.

Purely a precautionary measure
Contrary to the plan, Ländle record sevens fighter Isabel Posch will not be competing in Brescia. The reason: water retention in the area of her right ankle. "However, this is just a precautionary measure with regard to the rest of the season," reassures the 24-year-old from Fußach, who set a new VLV record last summer with 6107 points and was also the highest scoring Austrian in the heptathlon.

Isabel Posch will be competing with the ÖLV sprint relay team in the Bahamas at the beginning of May for an Olympic ticket for Paris.(Bild: ÖLV/Alfred Nevsimal)

"The World Relay Championships in the Bahamas await at the beginning of May and then the Hypomeeting. I definitely don't want to risk too much," says Isabel, who was at the position commission in Wels on Tuesday and will most likely also be an army athlete from the fall.