Twenty years of World Cup skiing, 204 World Cup races, ten podiums, three victories: Heel, who hails from the Passeiertal valley, looks back on a long and eventful career. Last week, he recounted his remarkable experiences for the interns of the Group.
Anton Seeber, the CEO of the Group, welcomed this year’s summer interns to their farewell party with the following words: “During the past months, you have experienced what your working life might look like in the near future. Thank you for seeking out and taking advantage of the opportunity.” 62 young people (high-school students from all disciplines, students from vocational and technical colleges, university students) each completed a summer internship at one of the Group companies: LEITNER ropeways, PRINOTH, LEITWIND and DEMACLENKO. Werner Heel joined their farewell party as a guest of honor. The interns were impressed with his speech, during which he called himself a ‘product tester’ for the company group: after all, their ropeways, snow groomers and snowmaking systems ensure that ski racers enjoy excellent conditions at every ski resort they visit.
Exciting conclusion
The former daredevil skier, who is now 37 years old, told the students to keep getting back on their feet and continue fighting even when life knocks them down. “Try to look ahead, take charge of things, stay open to new experiences and always think positively.” Heel told them that he, too, lost his way as a teenager. At the age of 15, he suddenly decided that he wanted to be a bicycle mechanic. His parents ultimately convinced him of his skiing talent, and that is when his career gradually took off – thanks to his indomitable willpower and a dash of good luck.
The farewell party was an exciting conclusion to the interns’ summer program, during which they got to work in the production halls and offices in Vipiteno, Bolzano, Chiusa and Selva Gardena. After the event, they enjoyed an informal chat with the famous South Tyrolean athlete.
