World-class athletes in Vorarlberg
Hosting the Hypomeeting Götzis
Bryan Clay learned to play the card game Jass whilst Harry Marra always enjoys a relaxing conversation over breakfast. Riebel corn semolina mash and Subirer pear schnapps perpetually peak the curiosity of athletes and attendants alike. In Vorarlberg, people from all over the world exchange ideas, while also learning something new about Vorarlberg along the way.
Hubert Ender had excellent timing: He opened the Gasthof Sonne inn in Altach in 1974 and just one year later the first combined-event athletics competition took place in the neighbouring town of Götzis. Ever since that time, athletes and coaches have occupied the establishment’s eleven rooms for one special week every year. As a result, his inn has become a permanent place of refuge, especially for guests from North America. Canadian athletes Michael Smith, Les Gramantik and Damian Warner have stayed in the past, not to mention Ashton Eaton, the World Record holder from the USA, and his wife, the heptathlete Brianne Theisen-Eaton. The couple hung up their cleats at the beginning of 2017, and as a result their coach Harry Marra won’t be returning to Vorarlberg anytime soon.
In an email to athlete manager Walter Weber, he expressed how he will always think of the Hypomeeting whenever the end of May rolls around: “I will turn my thoughts to you and hope for sunny, warm days and nice tailing winds for all the athletes.” In reference to the hosts, he continues: “Please give our regards to Annie and Hubert at the Sonne. I will miss their morning conversations over breakfast.”
A welcome challenge
Over the years, Ender has hosted countless renowned athletes including Sepp Zeilbauer and Jürgen Hingsen, as well as Trey Hardee and Cuban star Leonel Suarez. He remembers Bryan Clay fondly: “I taught him how to play Jass. He learned quite quickly,” he says with a broad smile. The Olympic champion from the USA often followed him into the kitchen just to have a closer look.
Welcoming atmosphere
According to Gerd Obwegeser, head of the Hotel Lorenz in Hohenems, year after year Götzis participants and fans breathe fresh air into the establishment. Claus Marek and Frank Müller from the German decathlon team are amongst his regular guests: “They always tell me how they’re looking forward to our Cordon Bleu the whole year,” says Obwegeser. During the Hypomeeting event, the family-run establishment is able to accommodate around 40 guests including coaches, doctors, masseurs and journalists. When the weather is nice, some sit together for a long time in the guest garden: “It’s never dull during the weekend of the event.” Claus Marek and Frank Müller always travel to Vorarlberg accompanied by their families. The entire group has really grown on him and the feeling is mutual. Usually they bring the Obwegeser family a small present.
Returning the favour: a visit to Australia
Hubert Ender from Altach also cultivates a friendly, collegial relationship with some of his guests. Michael Smith once brought along his parents to the Mösle Stadium. Since that time, Smith senior and Ender have exchanged Christmas cards across the Atlantic. Ender got on so well with the Australian coach Craig Hilliard (who came to Vorarlberg with heptathlete Jane Flemming) that the two agreed on a visit in kind to Australia.