Ever since Lisa Berger sat in a Mini 6.50 for the very first time in 2019, she hasn't let go. The 32-year-old wants to compete in the Mini Transat next year. At the current Mini Fastnet, she and Axel Solbach sailed to fifth place in a strong field of participants.
They had been in a midfield position for almost the entire duration of the race. But with an incredible finish, the team secured a top 10 result in the final metres. Lisa Berger now talks about how they achieved and experienced this. She also talks about her fascination with single-handed sailing and how important music is to her.
You've only been back on the mainland for a few days - are you still partying, relaxing or already in full preparation mode for the next event?
Lisa Berger: (laughs) I've been back home in Austria since the day before yesterday, and we crossed the finish line at half past five in the morning on Saturday. But I'm already fully focussed on the next event. The Azores race (Les Sables-Les Azores-Les Sables) will be only my second solo regatta, and then such a huge one. Of course we celebrated a bit after the mini Fastnet, but I haven't really realised yet that we did so well.
How did you feel, especially after this incredible finish, when it was done?
It was extremely surprising. I was about to have a heart attack in the bay of Douarnenez (laughs). It was really exciting, I couldn't believe it. I had already been at the tiller for about ten hours when I got my private boat on the right side of the bay and sailed past all the boats. I was already very excited.
Was there a decision that catapulted you forward? What made the difference in the end?
It was a bit of a "wind lottery" because it was really difficult in the bay, with currents and sometimes no wind at all. I saw all the boats in front of me and behind us too, so I realised that there was no way I was going to go where all the others were. So I was on the right side, the wind had picked up again from the coast. It was the right decision, but of course there was also a bit of luck involved.
You spent the whole race in midfield positions. Did you still believe that you could achieve such a top position?
I think we all knew that anything was possible right up to the end. Especially because there were so many holes and the entire fleet was constantly together. We had already moved up to second place at one point during the race. When the field didn't budge before the bay of Douarnenez, I knew that there was still a chance. You are then absolutely motivated and focussed, using every breath of wind and trying to trim everything optimally.
Everything was possible up to the finish, but it still came as a surprise. I was dreaming of finishing in the top 10 anyway, but I didn't quite realise that it was really possible.
What role does your team partner Axel Solbach play for you? You are normally training partners and competitors ...
We haven't known each other that well or for that long, as we only met in Barcelona in April. We got on well right from the start, but we'd never really sailed together before, which was exciting. In the end, it worked out very well and we both learnt a lot.
We have very different boats as competitors, so we are sailing in slightly different categories. My boat is very new, but his Pogo 2 is no longer one of the fastest, so it was certainly cool for him to sail on a maxi.
What were the difficulties en route? The race was characterised by light winds and unusually many upwind passages ...
It was extremely up and down, but that's generally the case for me when sailing. The mood fluctuates with the weather, and every time you lose places, it's really exhausting because you've perhaps only just fought your way through. It's pretty nerve-wracking, but luckily we didn't let anything get to us. One of us was at the front of the boat, the other at the back - there's no other way with little wind from the weight trim.
Sailing-wise, I was really focussed for six days, I've never been so alert all the time. Normally I get tired or even start to hallucinate. This time it was so exciting the whole time because it was always about catching up. It didn't feel like six days of calm sailing at all, it was just far too exciting.
How many hours were you able to sleep?
I did pretty well with the sleep I got, I actually got about five hours every day - during the day. I steered through the nights because it was often quite difficult and unfortunately we didn't have any real wind data. Something was wrong with my electrical settings, they were going completely crazy.
Do you have a particular occupation when things aren't going so well?
A lot of music. I don't think you can do without music (laughs). It's hugely important for me when I'm sailing, for every mood. I have music on about 80 per cent of the time and it's incredibly good for me, especially when I'm frustrated. The mood immediately improves and you take your mind off it a little. It usually works again straight away.
Recently you were travelling in pairs, but soon you'll be sailing alone again - do you prefer sailing solo or with a crew?
I think I can really enjoy myself and be myself when I'm alone. But I'm only just finding that out for myself. It's different with a crew, also cool, but just different. I don't know exactly how to explain that myself. I actually really enjoy being around people and need that. Nevertheless, I really enjoy being alone on the boat.
What do you find fascinating and challenging about single-handed sailing?
One disadvantage of single-handed sailing is that you don't get enough sleep, so I'm glad when someone else is with me. When sailing solo, you have to solve every problem on your own, that's the biggest challenge. You simply have to find a solution, which makes you surpass yourself and you can be extremely proud of yourself afterwards.
While sailing, you very often reach your limits and then you're not always happy or even briefly regret that you're doing it. In difficult conditions, I often ask myself why I'm here, but in hindsight it's simply the best feeling. I also think it's a bit addictive and the reason why you keep getting hooked.
How long has your dream of a mini-transat and single-handed sailing in general existed?
I actually didn't know about it for a long time. I think I first heard about the Mini class in 2013. But I had been thinking about sailing around the world for a while. Sailing solo, and at regattas, became a dream from that point onwards. You get more and more into it and get stuck with the videos on YouTube. (laughs)
It developed steadily and became really extreme until I was on a Mini for the first time in 2019. Then I was hooked. I knew straight away that I had to buy a boat like this and do it. I haven't had anything else on my mind to this day. The dream continues to develop. (laughs)
Is there something even bigger after the mini-transat?
I definitely have to continue after that, and there are also a few classes that I'm very interested in, where dreams are already developing. But it's important for me to complete one thing first. The Mini-Transat is a great school for everything that can come later. For example, there's Figaro, Class 40 and of course the really cool big Imocas.
I definitely want it to continue afterwards, but everyone dreams of that, or at least most people do. I think that if you really want something and can perhaps convince the right people, then a lot is possible.
First of all, an important race in the Mini 6.50 is just around the corner. Do you have concrete goals and plans for the next highlight in Les Sables-d'Olonne?
I want to prepare myself as well as possible, especially in terms of weather and routing, I want to be more professional than I was at my first single-handed regatta. Everything was so exciting back then and I was very excited. Now I want to stick to the plan I make in advance without being too influenced by the others.
A place in the top ten would of course be brilliant. The conditions at the Mini-Fastnet were very special, so the Azores race will be a bit different. It will be a big challenge, but anything is always possible. I find it really difficult to assess where I currently stand. It's only my third regatta as a skipper in such a good field and only my second in this region, but I'll give it my best shot.
Let's play a quick, very simple either-or game.
Something like that is always particularly difficult, but let's give it a go. (laughs)
Do you prefer light winds or strong winds?
Strong wind. Because it's faster, but I actually like both.
Prefer downwind or upwind?
Before the wind, but actually also in the wind. (laughs)
Prefer inland sailing or the open sea?
Deep sea, a thousand times better.
Do you prefer beer or water at the finish?
Beer.
Do you prefer to sleep in the hotel or on board "Mojo" before the start?
Different, actually preferably on the boat.
Would you prefer a short sprint or a long ocean race?
Long ocean race.
Or would you prefer up-and-down?
No, too stressful. (laughs)
Would you rather freeze-dried food or cook it all yourself?
I'm not a cook. I'm happy that I manage to prepare the freeze-dried food. (laughs)
That's it, not that difficult, thank you very much!
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