Where are you from and what do you like to do in your free time, apart from archery?

I come from Ostermundigen and in my free time I enjoy doing lots of crafts – especially for archery. I also work on electronics projects, such as developing an automatic scoring system using a camera and artificial intelligence. I'm also very interested in 3D printing: the grip of the bow, where the hand rests, is customised for each archer. Since an archer needs two identical bows so that they can switch to the other bow in case of damage during competitions, I use 3D printing to create these grips for myself and others for the two identical bows. This is because there is no time for repairs during competitions – six arrows have to be shot in three minutes. The two bows must feel absolutely identical, and the identical grip is a very important part of this. So my life consists of work and archery.

How did you get into archery, and what fascinates you about it?

After almost four years of searching for ‘my’ sport, I tried many other sports: badminton, tennis, judo, floorball, basketball and table tennis. In the spring of 1999, I saw archery in the City of Bern's sports programme and decided to give it a try. As we say in Switzerland: "Es hat mir den Ärmel sofort reingenommen.

What has been your greatest sporting achievement in archery so far?

That was definitely the bronze medal in the team event at the European Games. This is an Olympic event that takes place in Europe and is held under the Olympic banner. To qualify, we had to win the bronze medal as a team at the European Championships the previous year.

What is your role at Ypsomed?

I manage the electronics laboratory in Burgdorf and am responsible for training electronics apprentices. I also work on projects for SmartPilot and YpsoDose. In addition, I work with others to maintain the company's 3D printers.

What does a typical working day look like for you?

I work a lot on the computer and occasionally also actively with a soldering iron in the laboratory. My working day generally involves a lot of administrative tasks and looking after the apprentices. In electronics, a lot of work is done on computers. It involves very small, complicated things.

What do you particularly like about your work and the company?

The fascination with electronics and passing it on to the next generation of engineers. Ypsomed takes its apprentices very seriously and gives them a lot of responsibility – I think that's great.

How would you describe the working atmosphere at Ypsomed?

There is a very collegial atmosphere based on personal responsibility. For example, I am given a problem and then come back with the solution or any questions I may have. This way of working suits me very well. It's certainly not the case everywhere, so I'm glad that we do things this way here.

How does Ypsomed support you in your sporting career?

I have a lot of flexibility in terms of flexitime and holidays. In the summer, I'm usually away for long periods of time to take part in international tournaments. Of course, I have to work in advance to cover these absences. That involves a lot of effort: a ‘normal’ working day at Ypsomed usually lasts nine to ten hours for me. I've even had 14-hour days.

In Switzerland, archery is not a recognised profession but a marginal sport. That's why I can only pursue my hobby after work. We also receive almost no support from the federal government, which means that you can't make a living from archery.

What have you learned from archery that also helps you in your professional life?

You can't force anything. It is what it is. Enjoying what you do is a must.

Are there any parallels between your job and archery?

Precision is certainly an important factor. Soldering involves sub-half-millimetres, i.e. less than half a millimetre. On the other hand, sub-millimetres are also crucial in archery at 70 metres. The X on the target is about the size of an apple, and you can imagine how small that apple looks from 70 metres away. In addition, I have a weight of about 25 kilograms on my fingers, and there is a lot of movement when releasing the arrow. Without precision, nothing works for us.

How have you developed at Ypsomed – professionally and personally?

I have been working in the medical technology industry since 2001 and previously worked at Roche and Disetronic. I continued to develop during this time. Starting out as a relatively inexperienced electronics technician straight after my apprenticeship, I developed into a manager who supervises trainees through further training and professional experience. I have learned a great deal both personally and professionally.

What makes Ypsomed special for you as an employer?

Ypsomed is a company that wants to help people with its products. The flexibility and integrity really stand out for me.

Which three words best describe Ypsomed in your opinion?

Precision, quality, integrity.

What advice would you give to young talents?

Be yourself. That's the most authentic and best thing you can do. Because you are who you are. Know your limits, but also your strengths and values.

When people try to achieve something that is beyond their current abilities, they often overtax themselves – and the result is rarely good. If you want to get better, you have to train systematically. You can't suddenly turn up at a competition without having practised consistently beforehand – it doesn't work.