Triathlete Philipp Bosshard is training in Engadin for his first Ironman half-distance. Thanks to the “Home of Triathlon” association, he has joined a training group of professionals. For Philipp, sport is more than just a hobby. It is his way to get back to everyday life after a serious accident.
Monday morning at half past seven at St. Moritz's' Ovaverva 'sports centre: Long before the indoor pool opens to the public, a small group of triathletes complete their swimming training. Olympic champion Nicola Spirig, Ironman Hawaii winner Daniela Ryf, Olympic competitor Andrea Salvisberg and Philipp Bosshard are taking their tracks. Australian successful coach Brett Sutton and St. Moritz trainer Semira Bontognali watch them at the edge of the pool.
Semira runs the “Home of Triathlon” association, which offers children and amateurs professional training opportunities in Engadin.
Her attention is particularly focused on Philipp Bosshard, who is the only amateur to train on this day. “Philipp trains like everyone else. He doesn't get special treatment, nor would he want it.”
Although he had only minimal chances of survival, he fought his way through
“Going into a group took quite a bit of effort. I had to leave my comfort zone to do so, but it was more than just worth it,” says Philipp, who has been training with Semira since the beginning of 2020.
What he means by that becomes apparent when he leaves the pelvis: Almost all of his body skin is scorched. In 2014, he almost lost his life in an accident at work on a construction site. He spent two years in hospitals, including many months in a coma and in intensive care.
Although he had only minimal chances of survival, he fought his way through and managed to leave the hospital and switch to long rehabilitation.
The skin that was transplanted to him comes from himself. It was grown in the laboratory and used in more than 60 operations. But it is much thinner than his normal, multi-layered skin and consists almost entirely of scar tissue. “At night, when I move a little, the skin contracts. That's why I have to stretch them again in the morning.”
Philipp likes the mornings in the swimming pool. “Swimming may be the hardest discipline for me because I can't stretch my arms all the way over my head anymore. But the water helps me stretch and mobilize my body for the day.”
And there is something else Philipp likes: team spirit. “The people in this group are great. They give me tips and respect me for my sporting performance. Here I can be an athlete and not a patient.”
“He is one of us” (Nicola Spirig)
“Philipp is always in a good mood, very helpful and curious about a good tip,” says five-time Swiss champion Andrea Salvisberg. “He goes full throttle every day and is still always relaxed.”
Coach Brett Sutton also noticed Philipp's progress: “I was skeptical at first, especially because of his swimming performance. But Philipp has convinced me, and that is not easy.”
For trainer Semira Bontognali, who also works with Philipp in a group of amateurs, he is an asset for the team: “His positive energy fades everything else into the background. He gets involved in the group and also motivates others.”
And Olympic champion Nicola Spirig says: “I admire how Philipp is taking on his challenge and setting himself a very high sporting goal. He has my respect, he is one of us.”
For the 33-year-old, triathlon is more than just a hobby. He trains two to three times a day, 18 hours a week. With professionals, amateurs from the region or alone. He also does a lot of physical therapy.
“My physical situation will hardly improve anymore. It is now a matter of maintaining what has been achieved,” he says soberly. “I had to learn everything I can do today through training. If I don't do anything for too long, I'll lose it again. Training and body care have therefore become my new job.”
“Sport forces me to leave my comfort zone.”
Philipp stands out and is stared at accordingly. “The biggest limitation for my life isn't motor or physical. It's the unwanted attention when people look at me. Yet I'm not hiding myself and my fate.”
Everyday life is also his biggest challenge: “Surviving was almost the easiest part of the whole thing. Getting back to a fulfilling life is much the bigger task.”
But sport also helps him here: “Sport is not only important for my motor skills and mobility. It forces me to leave my comfort zone and face everyday life and people. With sport, I can surpass myself every day.”
Philipp has plans: He wants to complete an Ironman half distance for the first time next summer. 1.9 kilometers of swimming, 90 kilometers of cycling and 21 kilometers of running.
Step by step, by step: The way Philipp fought his way back into his new life is an inspiration for many. In lectures, he tells his story and helps people who have been struck by blows of fate to look forward again.
But healthy people can also learn from him: “Each of us has our own personality, regardless of what we look like and what we have experienced,” says Philipp and becomes thoughtful. “If I can bring this closer to people, it makes sense that I've survived it all.”
This text by Christian Gartmann was published in Skiservice Corvatsch's “Active Alpine Lifestyle” magazine. It is available free of charge in all ski service branches and more than two dozen partner companies and hotels.