Patrizio HOFER: “the biggest change was having the opportunity to work for archery”

One day before starting with his participation at the World Championships 2013 in Belek Antalya, let’s see how he feels prior to this great event.

Did you have a good summer so far?
Yes, actually, we had a really great summer. Usually summer is not hot in Switzerland but this one was really hot, and still is - which is good for practising outside.

Where did you get your nickname “Shark” from?
He laughs… It is a long story, and it comes from my old job. I had been working for a company in Zurich that imports and sells cars for 10 years and I was working on a car which I painted and completely transformed. At the end it looked like a shark; so my friends nicknamed me that: “Shark”.

Tell me a bit about your training and preparation since the last World Cup in Wroclaw.
I came back from Poland with a good ranking and good scores. After that event I took a 10-day break before, two weeks ago, starting to train every day again. I haven't done much with my equipment, because I have good equipment. I have been working hard on my physical and mental preparation - and, of course, shooting for the technical part.

Two years ago Christopher PERKINS became World Champion without previously accomplishing any notable international results. Do you see this year’s World Championships as an opportunity for you to shine?
I think that you always have a chance. Everybody here can shoot and shine, and it depends on many things: mostly how you feel on the day. Of course there are some archers always in the top ten, and who can shoot and win the World Championships: Reo WILDE, Braden GELLENTHIEN and Martin DAMSBO. Some countries, this year especially, made a big jump and therefore I think everybody has a chance. Personally, I will always give my best and try for the podium... but let’s go step by step.

What has changed for you since that wonderful 2009 season when you got two World Cup podiums and the bronze medal at the World Cup Final in Copenhagen?
Actually, the years before 2009 were also very good years. I made a huge jump up in the world ranking, and won different competitions and medals. It is hard to be on top for a long time, though; the last two years were really hard for me because I could not get back to my previous shooting level, but I am still working hard to get back to the top. In June last year I started a new job: I am now a professional archer working for an arrow company. For me it makes a big difference in my head; I am calmer, I have a special training programme and I know what I want to reach by working very hard. That has been the biggest change: the opportunity to work for archery.

How is Swiss archery going?
It is hard. I am lucky to have many good companies behind me - as they allow me to go and participate in international events. For the other archers in Switzerland it is a bit more difficult, despite archers are shooting well, we do not get a lot of financial support from our national federation as there is no money. Archers have to pay their own expenses to compete, so when you have a family and kids it is hard. Even for people living in Switzerland. He smiles...

Are there any model athletes on the compound circuit that inspire you?
For me, Reo WILDE is like archery's version of tennis' Roger FEDERER. He has been on top for so many years and it is really awesome. This year, what Pierre-Julien DELOCHE did was amazing. I do not want to say that these guys are idols - as I do not look what they do, but at how they do. Sometimes you see different techniques, and you try to practice the same technique. At a certain level you develop a technique that works for you. A lot of people in Switzerland were telling me how Reo WILDE was shooting but I always say the same: yes, Reo has a great technique, but there is only one Reo WILDE and his technique works for him. Nowadays you have so many archers with so many different techniques. So, no: I do not have an archer that inspires me. But if I had to tell you the name of one archer who is on top, and who I would like to imitate one day, that would be Reo WILDE.

You sometimes act as Albina LOGINOVA’s coach. What compensation do you get for that, is she a good employer?
He laughs again… Albina and I have a special relationship. She has come to my place many times, and we've shot together many times. I also helped her a lot with tuning her bow and preparing equipment. Two years ago I flew to a training camp for the Russian team in Turkey, where I had the opportunity to train with her. We have a great friendship, and as we have spent so many days at so many events together we know each other well: how each other shoots and what we expect. With Albina I know I can push her and be behind her, as I did in Poland this year

Would you shoot with her in a multi-national mixed team event like in tennis?
Yes, of course! She is one of the best archers in the world. I remember when compound archers were shooting at 70 meters and she had huge scores - beating some of the compound men sometimes.

What’s next for you after this event?
After this event I will have a break, and maybe go on holiday with my girlfriend because I have spent a lot of time, effort and money this year. I will just try to enjoy my family before starting my preparation for the indoor season. I do not know yet which indoor events I will be attending - but I will try to be in Las Vegas for sure. It is such a good competition with good people working there... But for the moment, I am concentrating fully on these World Championships.

Go to Patrizio HOFER’s biography.

World Archery Communication