Austria is the second National Team participating to the 2016 Apnea Indoor World Championship, which will be held in Italy, in Lignano Sabbiadoro (UD), from the 6th to the 12th of June, to formalize the list of athletes.
Sabine Buchberger, born in Salzburg, Austria, is the Trainer of the Austrian Team.
“In my function as Sports Director of the Austrian Diving Federation (TSVÖ), trainer and as an enthusiastic freediver, I’m very happy to participate with my team at the Apnea Indoor World Championship in Italy. I’ll try to do my pretty best to coach them towards really good performances and to encourage my three guys during the whole event”, comments Sabine.
Three are the athletes of the Austrian Team: Markus Helm, Thomas Oberhuber and Bernd Oberndorfer.
Markus Helm was born on the 21.05.1984 in Amstetten, Austria, and his best personal results in the specialities of the World Championship are:
- Dynamic Apnea with monofin (DYN) * – 158 m, 2015, Hydrodynamics Vienna
- Dynamic Apnea with bi-fins (DYN BF) * – 100 m, 2008, Training Amstetten
- Dynamic Apnea without Fins (DNF) * – 100 m, 2010 Maribor Mad Cup
- Static Apnea (STA) ** 5:49 min, 2014 Training Moalboal Philippines
- Speed Apnea 100 m *** – never started
- Endurance Apnea 16×50 m *** – never started
“Looking forward to participate as an enthusiast deepdiver for the first time in a pool world championship. I hope it will be a good experience for me and that I will be able to do a good performance and some personal bests”, comments Markus.
Thomas Oberhuber was born the 24.10.1972 in Innsbruck, Austria. His best personal results in the specialities of the World Championship are:
- Dynamic Apnea with monofin (DYN) * – 161 m, 26.06.2015, Belgrad
- Dynamic Apnea with bi-fins (DYN BF) * – 132 m, 01.11.2014, Vienna
- Dynamic Apnea without Fins (DNF) * – 125 m, 21.06.2015, Belgrad
- Static Apnea (STA) ** – 5:20 min, 01.11 2014, Vienna
- Speed Apnea 100 m *** – never started
- Endurance Apnea 16×50 m *** – never started
Thomas’ comments are enthusiastic: “The Championship is an impressive big event, where you have a great possibility to reach your own personal bests together with a lot great athletes from all over the world. I am very proud and happy that I get the chance through the Austrian Diving Federation (TSVÖ) to start for my home country at this event. Freediving scene in Austria is like a big family: independently from competitions, we meet each other at one of our wonderful crystal clear mountain lakes to free dive and have fun together.”
Bernd Oberndorfer was born the 27.06.1963 in Steyr, Austria. His best personal results in the specialities of the World Championship are:
- Dynamic Apnea with monofin (DYN) * – never started
- Dynamic Apnea with bi-fins (DYN BF) * – 85 m, Training Graz
- Dynamic Apnea without Fins (DNF) * – 75 m, Training Graz
- Static Apnea (STA) ** – 5:30 min, Training Graz
- Speed Apnea 100 m *** – never started
- Endurance Apnea 16×50 m *** – never started
Bernd comments of this opportunity: “First a word of thanks to the organizers. It is great that these competitions are held in Lignano. Some of the most famous freedivers in the history of this wonderful sport come from Italy, and such events make this sport even more popular. I myself am a pure amateur athlete and I´m proud to represent my country. I am looking forward to meet many enthusiasts of this sport. I love free diving, the feeling of being one with nature and her creatures. This mix of silence, concentration and relaxation enriches my life.”