After years of dedication, Rebecca Netzler has officially retired from the 49erFX class and will no longer campaign for the Olympics. Netzler leaves behind a stellar career, highlighted by a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics alongside Vilma Bobeck and a World Championship title. Her journey has inspired countless sailors and elevated women’s sailing globally.
In an exclusive Q&A, Netzler reflects on her career, sharing insights into her achievements, challenges, and the emotions of closing this chapter.
1. Looking back, what does it feel like to officially close this chapter of your career?
I think it’s both scary and exciting to be honest. I have loved my years campaigning, and I have had two quite different campaigns which wouldn’t have been possible without the other. I’m proud of the years Klara Wester and I did. Starting from scratch, getting sponsors, learning how to sail the boat and compete internationally, and in the end often ending up 7th on the World Cups. Without those years it wouldn’t have been possible for Vilma and I to make the change of coming top ten, to start taking medals and build the campaign the way we did. The years with Vilma have felt a lot longer than just three years. We have done so much and looking at the results, we have achieved incredible things. It’s just now, looking back, I kind of realize.
To answer the question, I feel a mix of emotions, but mostly proud and happy to have had such an amazing time and met so many incredible people.
15 September, 2018.
2. Which moment are you most proud of in your journey — Olympic silver, World Championship, or something more personal?
Of course the Olympic medal is a special one, because we really started the week badly and managed to climb our way up to the top, continued to believe in ourselves and not let the pressure get to us. But what I’m especially proud of is taking the gold at the 2023 Worlds in Den Haag. Our build up to the event was far away from perfect with a lot of uncertainty and injuries but we were capable of making each other better when we needed it the most.
Besides the results, I’m incredibly proud of the team we became over the years. It wasn’t just about Vilma and me on the water — our coach, Victor Bergström, played a huge role in shaping us into a real unit. The three of us grew together, learning from each other’s strengths and individual characteristics, and that combination was what made the ultimate team result possible.
3. Were there particular setbacks or challenges that shaped you the most as an athlete?
In 2023 I had a pretty serious back injury that happened during a training camp on Lanzarote. I ended up on the hospital for a week before they could fly me home. At the time I couldn’t walk without support or even do the silliest things like pouring myself a glass of water or put the dishes in the dishwasher. This all happened in February and the summer of 2023 had many important events like Test Event for the Olympics and the Worlds in Den Haag deciding Olympic qualifications.
I moved back home to the north of Sweden, which couldn’t have been more opposite then sailing in Lanzarote with all the snow and dark afternoons. I got the best help possible from a physiotherapist normally working with Biathlon athletes and I got surprised how much of their movement we could copy to the sailing. All days wasn’t easy but the contrast from being around sailing to being around snow helped me keep the focus on my training so I could come back stronger.
Looking back at it, I felt like I found a new type of discipline and focus. I saw the power of fitness training with new eyes. I was never a big fan of lifting heavy weights. With the help of a new athletic coach, I was training the same muscles but in a different way. Coming back and gaining the confidence in my body again I really felt how the training made a difference and how “easy” I could move in the boat no matter the waves or conditions.
Credit: Sailing Energy / World Sailing.
18 August 2023
4. What initially drew you to sailing, and what kept you motivated through so many years?
What many people outside of Sweden might not know about me is that I’m coming from a cross country and biathlon paradise. My hometowns slogan is winter city… My mum randomly saw a note of two weeks sailing school and thought it could be fun. The people at the local club were amazing and we had so much fun. I stayed and we started training more serious and I always took one little step at the time. At 16 I moved 700 km south to continue sailing in a more performance environment and on that road it continued.
My motivation has always been training, I love it. The hours on the water, digging into any type of specific thing and do it over and over again. I have also been fortunate to always be surrounded by an amazing group of people making the training and environment a lot of fun.
5. If you could relive one race, which would it be and why?
How cliche it might sound but it would be the final medal race of the Olympics. I have never felt such a connection between Vilma and myself. We were so focused, prepared and we executed almost flawlessly. We have never sailed such a good race even though our legs were shaking. I had to shake them out before every maneuver so I knew they would move when I wanted to.
6. How did you know it was the right time to retire from Olympic sailing?
I don’t think you ever truly know if it’s the right time. After Tokyo, when Klara and I split, I asked myself whether I wanted to continue. At that point, I still had the excitement and the hunger to improve, and I didn’t feel ready to leave all those training years without being able to show what I was capable of.
When Vilma and I started to set up our campaign, we did it with a clearer end goal, like working towards a deadline. That gave us one single focus. We knew the clock was ticking, so every decision was about fast-tracking our development and making sure we kept progressing. For me personally, I have been living with that feeling like it would end at some stage. My partner, Justus Schmidt, stepped away from 49er sailing in 2020, having seen him and Max Boehme campaign for Rio and Tokyo, and then transition into their civil careers, made it clear to me that these years of being completely selfish and living fully for the sport were limited. I felt like I was sailing not only for myself but also a little bit for them. So doing it fully while I could.
So with hindsight I probably retired a little bit already back in 2021. Deep inside, I knew this wasn’t forever. That didn’t make the decision any easier and a part of me still hoped that during this last year I’d change my mind. But I can honestly say I gave it everything, and that makes it okay to step away now.
7. Was the decision difficult emotionally, or did it feel like a natural next step?
Actually with all the above said it was a lot tougher emotionally then I thought. The first week of the decision I couldn’t even say the words without never ending crying. I have had the Olympic Squad and the Swedish Sailing team by my side like a family for almost 10 years to not talk about the team Victor, Vilma and I had. It is scary to let go.
8. How do you think women’s sailing has changed during your career?
It’s like a whole new world. It’s so amazing. When I started sailing the FX, all I knew was Olympic sailing and The Ocean Race. Nothing else felt like an option or even possible to have as a dream. Today we have so many cool women to look up to and how incredible is it for young girls growing up being able to dream about the America ́s Cup.
9. If a young sailor asked for your single best piece of advice, what would you tell them?
Take control of the things you can control. A clear structure throughout the campaigns has always helped me to manage an intense schedule but to also enjoy the ride. I think the journey from starting the FX, maybe having your parents supporting you to finding sponsors and growing it yourself is amazing.
10. Do you see yourself staying connected to sailing — coaching, mentoring, or another role?
Absolutely! During the summer I have tried different boats (nothing beats the FX though) and been coaching a little bit. Coaching is a challenge, and I already had huge respect for all the coaches out there but now even more. And to all the sailors – remember to tell your coach thank you now and then 🙂
11. What are you most excited to explore or focus on now outside of competition?
I’m just so excited to be able to say yes to different things. Attending weddings, book in holiday with friends without giving them one option or none. I felt like I wanted to stay home more and not constantly live in my bag, but since the Olympics and all my yes-saying I have been away even more. Maybe the autumn will calm me down.
12. Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but couldn’t because of your demanding sailing schedule?
The first years of my campaigning we were strict, didn’t do anything outside sailing that could risk performance or training days. The last years we still tried to plan so we could do stuff that was important for us. Of course, the last year and coming closer to the games or before important events we were back strict. Now as I said it’s not about the big things, more about the smaller things and being able to say yes without having to ask for permission or plan how to be able to do my schedule training at the same time.
13. How has sailing shaped who you are outside of sport?
I guess I am just about to find out…
14. If you had to describe your career in three words, what would they be?
Fun, hard, commitment
Rebecca Netzler’s career is a testament to perseverance, teamwork, and passion. While she steps away from Olympic sailing, her influence will continue through the sailors she has inspired and the legacy she leaves behind.
