Ines Papert

When Ines Papert swapped her home in Saxony for Berchtesgaden in Bavaria in 1993 after training as a physiotherapist, she quickly realised that her new surroundings had much more to offer than winter skiing fun. She quickly discovered a passion for the mountains and, above all, ice climbing. She started her professional career by winning the Ice Climbing World Cup in 2001 and went on to become a four-time world champion in the following years.

However, the athlete cites the birth of her son Emanuel in 2000 as her greatest personal happiness. In her book "Im Eis", Ines Papert also describes the balancing act between mother and professional climber and how she found her way on the steepest routes.

Ines Papert,

HOW HAS SPORT CHANGED YOUR LIFE?
"The mountains have changed my life 100 per cent. Before, I was more of a classic "sports refuser" - certainly with certain genetic predispositions for sport - but simply far too lazy."

HOW DO YOU OVERCOME YOUR INNER SWINE DOG WHEN TRAINING?
"I look for motivated training partners, that helps me. And to set yourself a goal! Then you know what you're putting in the effort for."

WHAT DO YOU ALWAYS TAKE WITH YOU ON YOUR EXPEDITIONS?
"I always have to take a pillowcase with me to base camp, so I can stuff my down jacket inside the tent and have a soft pillow."