EDUCATION
- Master II "Economy - International Transports", University Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne
- Bachelor "Economie et Gestion de l'Entreprise", "Pôle Européen d'Economie et de Gestion" / Stasbourg I
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Air Partner International, Paris: Airplanes research and quotation, flights preparation (6 months)
- International Airport of Basle-Mulhouse: Costs benefit analysis, Yield Management (4 months)
LANGUAGES
French, English and German
OTHER DIPLOMA
Swiss Ski Instructor
SPECIFICITIES
Having always managed to combine sport and studies (obtained a Master degree in economics at the Sorbonne University at only 23 years old), Alain is a balanced athlete. Those two activities have indeed been essential to his development and in building his personality. He qualified for the finals of several major international competitions but just missed out on the Olympic qualification for Beijing 2008. Another one of Alain's main interests is aviation, a field that he wishes to work in.
ATHLETE
First name Alain
Surname Schirmann
Nationalities SUI and FRA
Date of birth 25/02/1983
Place of birth Basle, Switzerland
Weight 77kg
Height 187cm
SPORT
Category Canoe single (C1)
Clubs Huningue, France
Geneva, Switzerland
Training locations Huningue (Basle), France
Bethlehem, South Africa
Augsburg, Germany
Amadonsa since 2006
Role Model Andre Agassi
Philosophy: "Live one’s dreams instead of dreaming one’s life "
PALMARES
- 12th at the European Championship 2007
- Finalist at the World Series 2007 and 2008
- Finalist at the European Championship U23 2005
- Finalist at the Uni-World Championship 2006
- Swiss Champion 2009
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Paralympic Games 2008, Beijing: official photograph
- Open EDF of natation, Paris: official photograph
LANGUAGES
French and English
OTHER DIPLOMA
"Brevet d'Etat 1er degré de Canoë-Kayak et Disciplines Associées" (French canoe-kayak instructor)
SPECIFICITIES
Nicolas qualified for the Olympic Games in Athens 2004, aged only 20. He is still the youngest French canoeist ever qualified for an Olympic Games. In 2006 he then confirmed his position as one of the best athletes of his generation by obtaining second place at the European U23 Championships. A year later he became world champion with the French Team. In 2009 he reached the final in every single international competition, won a silver medal in the team race of the European and World Championships and comes fourth individually at the World Championships. Photography being his passion, he has founded his own company – Pix-Art – in partnership with his brother Benoît and Camille Bernis (ex-member of the French Canoe Kayak Team).
ATHLETE
First name Nicolas
Surname Peschier
Nationality FRA
Date of birth 16/05/1984
Place of birth Guilherand, France
Weight 77kg
Height 170cm
SPORT
Category Canoe single (C1)
Club Vallon Pont d'Arc, France
Training location Vallon Pont d'Arc
Bethlehem, South Africa
Amadonsa since 2006
PALMARES
- 4th at the World Championship 2009
- Silver Medal at the European and World Championships 2009 in the team events
- 7th at the European Championship 2009
- World Champion 2007 in the team event
- Silver Medal at the European Championship U23 2006
- Finalist at the World Cups 2007 and 2009
- Olympian 2004
EDUCATION
Master en Business International
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
NC
LANGUAGES
German, English, French and Spanish
OTHER DIPLOMA
NC
SPECIFICITIES
Violetta, daughter of Wolfgang Peters (GER) – World Champion in C1 in 1969 – has competition in her genes! She raced for Germany until the Sydney Olympic Games, and then decided to represent Austria, her husband Helmut Oblinger’s country. Since then she has managed to become one of the world’s top athletes. In 2007 she won the European Championships, beating all the best Slovakian athletes on their home turf. « Vio » also won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games despite serious health problems and a heart operation just a few months earlier.
ATHLETE
First name Violetta
Surname Oblinger-Peters
Nationalities AUT and GER
Date of birth 14/10/1977
Place of birth Schwerte, Germany
Weight 54kg
Height 170cm
SPORT
Category Kayak single (K1)
Club Steyr, Austria
Training location Schärding, Austria
Amadonsa since 2007
Role model NC
Motto: "Grass does not grow quicker if you pull at it" (Chinese saying)
PALMARES
- Bronze Medal at the Olympic Games 2008
- European Champion 2007
- 3rd of the World Cups 2007/08 - overall ranking
- 5th at the World Championship 2009
- 3 times Olympian : 2000, 2004 and 2008
- Bronze Medal at the European and World Championships 2005 in the team event
EDUCATION
- Metric, Nagle Dam Valley College
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Dihlabeng Municipality, Bethlehem: life guard, trainer of the Dihlabeng Canoe Club (since 2008)
LANGUAGES
English, Zulu and Sotho
SPECIFICITIES
« Cyp », just like his friend Siboniso, comes from a very poor zone of South Africa: Kwazulu Natal. By chance he lived close to a kayak club where he did marathon for several years. In 2004 he met Cameron MacIntosh and they started C2 together. It soon became clear that « Cyp » had a big athletic and physical potential for this sport. In 2008, « Cyp » and « Cam » qualified for the Olympic Games in Beijing. A Black and a White racing together in the same boat, as a team, they symbolise hope for South Africa, a country still shaped by the vestiges of Apartheid.
ATHLETE
First name Cyprian
Surname Ngidi
Nationality RSA
Date of birth 30/06/1983
Place of birth Nagle Dam, South Africa
Weight 74kg
Height 177cm
SPORT
Category Canoë single (C1)
Club Dihlabeng, South Africa
Training location Bethlehem, South Africa
Amadonsa since 2006
Role model Robert Lambethe
Philosophy: « Do not have sex without protection because HIV is easily caught », his parents
PALMARES
Palmares in canoe double (C2) with Cameron McIntosh
- 12th at the Olympic Games 2008 (C2)
- African Champion 2008 (C2)
- Semi-finalist at the World Championship 2007 (C2)
- African Champion 2009 (C1)
EDUCATION
- Bachelor "Sciences et Techniques des Activités Physiques et Sportives - option entraînement",
- Professorat de Sport Haut Niveau, Institut National du Sport et de l'Education Physique / Paris
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- INSEP, Paris: professeur de sport (poste en formation: 2 ans)
- Direction Départementale de la Jeunesse et des Sports Ardèche (depuis 2007)
LANGUAGES
French and English
OTHER DIPLOMA
"Brevet d'Etat Sport pour Tous" (French sport instructor)
SPECIFICITIES
Benoît is the only French Olympic champion in the history of canoeing. He is a hard-working competitor and perfection is his key to success. In 2008 he got back to the top after three difficult years during which some said he was «finished». After being « robbed » of his Olympic qualification for Beijing 2008, in which the judgment was unfair, he decided to race for Greece, his wife’s country. Benoît is interested in wine tasting and enjoys different outdoor sports.
ATHLETE
First name Benoît
Surname Peschier
Nationalities FRA and GRE in competition since 2009
Date of birth 21/05/1980
Place of birth Guilherand, France
Weight 77kg
Height 177cm
SPORT
Category Kayak single (K1)
Clubs Evinos, Greece
Vallon Pont d'Arc, France
Training locations Vallon Pont d'Arc
Bethlehem, South Africa
Augsburg, Germany
Amadonsa since 2006
Role model Ellen MacArthur
Philosophy: "No pain, no gain!"
PALMARES
- Olympic Champion 2004 (FRA)
- World Champion 2005 in the team event (FRA)
- Uni-World Champion 2000 and 2002 (FRA)
- World Cups Winner 2001 (FRA)
EDUCATION
- Diploma of Sport Science and Management, University of Nottingham (GB)
EXPERIENCE PROFESSIONNELLE
- Irish Sport Council : professional athlete (since 2007)
LANGUAGES
English and French
SPECIFICITIES
Last one to join the Amadonsa team, Ciaran is also the youngest. Irish hopefull, he was able to rank himself in the top 10 of the 2008 Wolrd Cup Series Ranking and finished second of the National Selections for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Worldwide traveler, Ciaran spends his time between his studies in Nottingham, Paris where is spent his childhood, and Sydney where he trains during the european winter. He'll be 25 in 2012, the perfect age to perform in London, his ultimate goal!
ATHLETE
First name Ciaran
Surname Heurteau
Nationalities IRL and FRA
Date of birth 07/06/1987
Place of birth Nogent-sur-Marne, France
Weight 80kg
Height 185cm
SPORT
Category Kayak single (K1)
Clubs Bry-sur-Marne, France
Salmon Leap, Irland
Training location Paris, France
Nottingham, England
Sydney, Australia
Amadonsa since 2009
Philosophy: "You can't plough a field by turning it over in your head"
PALMARES
- 6th at the World Cup 2008
- 10th of the World Cup 2008 - overall ranking
- Member of Irish National Team since 2006
EDUCATION
- Metric, Nagle Dam Valley College
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Dihlabeng Municipality, Bethlehem: sport-fields manager, trainer of the Dihlabeng Canoe Club (since 2008)
LANGUAGES
English, Zulu and Sotho
SPECIFICITIES
“Kehlo” grew up in a township of Kwazulu Natal (South Africa), where he experienced misery and poverty. He started kayaking in a local club, discovered slalom in 2003 and finally chose that discipline. In 2008, thanks to the International Federation’s development program, “Kehlo” got the opportunity to improve and discover the world at the same time. He became the first black athlete ever to participate in an Olympic games in C1! Siboniso is very smilly and likes dancing before his race to relax!
ATHLETE
First name Siboniso
Surname Cele
Nickname Kehlo
Nationality RSA
Date of birth 23/03/1985
Place of birth Pietermartizburg, S.-Africa
Weight 75kg
Height 168cm
SPORT
Category Canoe single (C1)
Club Dihlabeng, South Africa
Training location Bethlehem, South Africa
Amadonsa since 2006
Role model Mickael Mbanjwa
Philosophy: “Respect people, and remember that those who give up never win and that those who win never give up”, his parents
PALMARES
- 16th at the Olympic Games 2008
- African Champion 2008
- Silver Medal at the African Championship 2009
EDUCATION
- Diploma in engineering in "Works in Industrial Processes", Polytechnics Institute of Toulouse
- Master in "Physical-Chemical Processes", University Paul Sabatier of Toulouse
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Val de l'Indre Canoeing and Kayaking: responsible for the Nautical Centre (1 month)
- Pomona EpiSaveurs: preparation of orders (1 month)
LANGUAGES
French and English
OTHER DIPLOMA
"Moniteur Fédéral de Canoë-Kayak" (French canoe-kayak instructor)
SPECIFICITIES
Raphaël is an adept of stakhanovist-style of training: he often spends several hours on the water without even noticing the time go by. His efforts were rewarded when he became European U23 Champion with the French Team in 2008. Besides sport “Raph” is preparing a diploma in engineering in Toulouse. Being a good- humoured and kind person he quickly integrated the Amadonsa Team.
ATHLETE
First name Raphaël
Surname Reveche
Nationality FRA
Date of birth 13/08/1985
Place of birth Tours, France
Weight 72kg
Height 174cm
SPORT
Category Kayak single (K1)
Club Val de l'Indre, France
Training location Toulouse, France
Amadonsa since 2008
PALMARES
- European Champion U23 in the team event 2008
- World Series Finalist 2008
- Bronze Medal at the French Championship 2008
EDUCATION
- Diploma in Architectur, University of Applicated Sciences / Augsburg (D)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Edouard François, Paris: architect (4 months)
- City of Donauwörth: architect (6 months)
LANGUAGES
German, English and French
OTHER DIPLOMA
Rafting Instructor (Austria)
SPECIFICITIES
“Muh” is the son the Angelika Bahmann, first-ever Olympic champion in the history of canoe slalom (Munich 72). He was the technical advisor of the Chinese Olympic Team in 2008. After starting his career in C1 he started racing in C2 in 2003 and became World Champion in 2005. He still races in C1 and is very successful (Olympic substitute in 2008).
ATHLETE
First name Christian
Surname Bahmann
Nickname Muh
Nationality GER
Date of birth 22/07/1981
Place of birth Plauen, Germany
Weight 68kg
Height 173cm
SPORT
Category Canoe single (C1)
Club Bad Kreuznach, Germany
Training locations Bad Kreuznach
Augsburg, Germany
Bethlehem, South Africa
Amadonsa since 2006
Role model Michael Senft
Philosophy: "The real style never dies"
PALMARES (palmares in C2 with Michael Senft)
- World Champion 2005 (C2)
- 4th at the Olympic Gamess 2004 (C2)
- 2nd of the World Cup 2004 - overall ranking (C2)
- 3rd at the European Championship U23 2002 (C1)
- 3rd at the European Championship par Equipe 2008 (C1)
EDUCATION
- Physical Education Teacher, Faculty
- High Diploma in "Statistics and Marketing", Institut of Professional Education / Athens
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- KEME, Athens: statistician (1 year)
- DRO, Athens: organisation of educational activities (2 months)
LANGUAGES
Greek, English and French
OTHER DIPLOMA
Greek Canoe-Kayak Instructor
SPECIFICITIES
Maria was lucky to race in front of her own public at the Olympic games in Athens in 2004 (she lives 7 min away from the course). She learned all about competition at the same time as her federation, in a short amount of time. Today, Maria is know just as much for her kindness, sportsmanship and generosity as for her great kayaking skills. Despite the disappointment of missing her qualification for the final of the Olympics by very little, she remained motivated and good-humoured.
ATHLETE
First name Maria
Surname Ferekidi
Nationality GRE
Date of birth 02/12/1981
Place of birth Athens, Greece
Weight 56kg
Height 163cm
SPORT
Category Kayak single (K1)
Club Athens
Training locations Athens
Nafpaktos, Greece
Augsburg, Germany
Amadonsa since 2008
PALMARES
- 11th at the Olympic Games 2008
- Olympian 2004
- Balkan Champion 2004
- Greek Champion from 2002 to 2008
EDUCATION
- Master II "Responsable Opérationnel d'un Centre de Profit", Institut de Formation aux Affaires et à la Gestion (IFAG) / Toulouse
- Licence "Physiologie Animale et Biologique Cellulaire", Université Paul Sabatier / Toulouse
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- LTF Consultants, Toulouse : suivi de la gestion (depuis juin 2007)
- N.A.T. Sarl : cas de création d'entreprise (6 mois)
- Boutet Sarl : audit, diagnostique startégique (8 mois)
LANGUAGES
French and English
OTHER DIPLOMAS
"Brevet d'Etat 1er degré de Canoë-Kayak et Disciplines Associées" (French Canoe-Kayak Instructor)
SPECIFICITIES
In 2008 Benjamin made history in Togo by becoming the country’s first Olympic medallist. He is also the first African to have achieved such a result in an aquatic sport. “Kudiow” is communicative and enterprising, leading an intense life allows him to improve and share his experience with others.
ATHLETE
First name Benjamin "Kudjow"
Surname Boukpeti
Nationalities TOG and FRA
Date of birth 04/08/1981
Place of birth Lagny-sur-Marne, France
Weight 74kg
Height 177cm
SPORT
Category Kayak single (K1)
Club Toulouse, France
Training locations Toulouse, France
Bethlehem, South Africa
Augsburg, Germany
Seu d'Urgell, Spain
Amadonsa since 2006
Role Models T. Estanguet, M. Martikan, B. Peschier and P. Kauzer
Philosophy: “Believe in my dreams and dare to fulfil them to make my life a living dream"
PALMARES
- Bronze Medal at the Olympic Games 2008
- African Champion 2008
- Semi-finalist at the Olympic Games 2004
EDUCATION
NC
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
NC
LANGUAGES
German and English
OTHER DIPLOMA
NC
SPECIFICITIES
Having participated in four Olympic Games, his best result being a fourth place in Sydney in 2000 Helmut is a living example of an athlete who successfully remained at the highest level for many years. He got a bronze medal at the 2003 World Championships and became European Champion in 2005. He proved he was still at the top when, aged 35 in 2008, “Heli” was 3rd at the World Cup Ranking and 7th at the Beijing Olympic Games. His main ambition is now to achieve a medal at the 2012 London Olympics, the only medal he is still missing.
ATHLETE
First name Helmut
Surname Oblinger
Nickname Heli
Nationality AUT
Date of birth 14/03/1973
Place of birth Schärding, Austria
Weight 70kg
Height 180cm
SPORT
Category Kayak single (K1)
Club Steyr, Austria
Training location Schärding
Amadonsa since 2007
Philosophy: "Let's be realistic, let's demand the impossible", Che Guevara
PALMARES
- European Champion 2005
- Bronze Medal at the World Championship 2003
- 4th at the Olympic Games 2000
- 3rd of the World Cups 2001/03/08 - overall ranking
- N°1 at the World Ranking 2001 and 2005
- Olympian in 1996, 2000, 2004 et 2008
- 6th at the World Championship 2009
Team Amadonsa
Email: team.amadonsa@gmail.com
Contacts Jean-Jérôme Perrin :
Tel.: +33 (0)3 85 92 28 02
Mob.: +33 (0)6 19 23 54 42
