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Rebecca Netzler
Rebecca Netzler is a sailor and Olympic medalist. She has several World Championship medals in 49erFX and a silver medal together with Vilma Bobeck from the Olympics in Paris 2024. The same year she also made America’s Cup history with Swedish Challenge Powered by Artemis Technologies. Rebecca has been our True Ambassador since 2024.
“I have a typical dinghy background with the exception that I didn’t sail Optimist. The club’s Mirror and RS Feva were followed by Europe dinghy, 29er and 49erFX at the Sailing Academy in Motala. The year with Europe Dinghy was my first and last in a single-handed boat. I enjoy sailing more together with others.”
Rebecca loves training and competing. With a positive attitude and remarkable drive, she constantly tries to improve both herself and the team around her. She grew up in the small village of Salsån south of Östersund. With the lake Storsjön constantly present, both water and wind became a natural part of everyday life. Her career started at Storsjöns Yachts Club's sailing school and it was love at first sight.
"It's always windy in Östersund. Many people from Östersund complain about the wind, but not me. With the lake in the middle of the city, you get to practice wind shifts and to lift your gaze early."
Eventually Rebecca started to sail RS Feva with Linus Berglund. The class's cup sailings were on the to-do-list and for a period, there was a trip to the west coast almost every other weekend.
"Racing was so much fun. We were two crews from Östersund who left Friday morning and came back home Monday night. A lot of miles to cover for our parents."
When it was time for high school, Rebecca moved to Motala to join the Sailing Academy there. The following four years, she trained and competed in Europe dinghy and 29er. The thought of a serious Olympic campaign came first the last year after pairing up with Klara Wester in the 49erFX.
“We had a lot of fun and after our first regatta abroad I felt strongly that this was something we just had to become a part of.”
It took almost ten years to qualify for the Olympics. Along the way Klara chose a different path, and Rebecca continued her efforts together with Vilma Bobeck. The qualified duo went immediately from strength to strength. They distinguished with happy smiles, an incomparable ability to handle adversity and last but not least, being best when it counts. The intense journey resulted in an Olympic silver medal.
“It hasn’t been easy to take time for reflection. It was perhaps first when I came home and met my parents, who have supported and pushed me all these years, family and friends, that I really understood how much the medal means and how big the achievement actually is. The feeling that I somehow succeeded all the way is very satisfying.”
Immediately after the Olympics, Rebecca went to Barcelona and America's Cup. For the first time in history, women were invited to compete and backed up by Swedish Challenge Powered by Artemis Technologies Sweden was on the start line.
"I could feel it. We were making history. The Puig Women's America's Cup really got the attention I think it deserved. I have never dreamt of America's Cup. That opportunity didn't exist when I was growing up. But not everyone wants to aim for the Olympics. Now there is another big goal in professional sailing for women. That is absolutely the coolest thing."
Rebecca enjoys the challenge of getting different individuals to work together. The fact that each and one has different strengths that with the right technique and knowledge can be highlighted.
"Obviously one plus one equals to two, but you want it to be at least three. I have always found that process very interesting."
When Rebecca is not sailing, she likes to go on vacation.
“It can be any kind of holiday. I like skiing, wing-foiling and visit new places. I also like to go home and just surround myself with the peace up there, and the feeling that time almost has been standing still since the last time. A bit of everything.”
Rebecca has been our True Ambassador since 2024, but the relationship goes further back since SWE Salling Team is one of our True Teams.
“The collaboration with SWE Salling Team is great, not least due to Pelle Petterson’s history in sailing and how much he has meant for the sport. Being able to show the world where we come from, and at the same time where we stand today feels powerful.”
Rebecca has no specific favorite garment but she loves all kind of jackets.
“Pelle P has a lot of great jackets regardless the season and I always get compliments when I wear mine.”
Rebecca's main sailing achievements
World Championship silver 49erFX with Vilma Bobeck 2022
World Championship gold 49erFX with Vilma Bobeck 2023
World Championship silver 49erFX with Vilma Bobeck 2024
Olympic silver 49erFX with Vilma Bobeck 2024