Top athlete at the reception

Her smile is the first thing you see when you enter the Schaerer building in Zuchwil: Licia Mussinelli greets visitors at reception and on the phone. The 22-year-old Swiss woman lives the values of the Swiss - and Schaerer AG in particular - every day. With reliability, punctuality, friendliness and a customer- and solution-orientated approach, Licia inspires guests, colleagues and, of course, her fans: Licia has been active as a wheelchair racer for over ten years - and with great success. Among other things, she impressed with strong results at the Para Athletics World Championships in Paris. She told us how she manages to juggle sport and work and what goals she is still aiming for.

Energetic and talented

Licia learnt about wheelchair racing in 2011 and it quickly became her passion. Today, numerous medals and two junior championship titles later, she is gradually conquering her place among the elite of Swiss wheelchair athletes. In July 2023, she had the opportunity to get a taste of professional life. Together with nine athletes - including eight racing wheelchair athletes - Licia travelled from Switzerland to Paris for the biggest para-athletics event of 2023, the World Para Athletics Championships. A total of 1700 athletes from 120 nations competed against each other there.

"I had set myself the goal,

i wanted to gain experience there first and foremost and learn from my established colleagues. The fact that I then made it into the final qualification for the 100 metres surprised me myself."

However, anyone following her career should hardly be surprised, as it is the 100, 400, 800 and 1500 metre sprint to middle distances that Licia particularly enjoys. She was unable to compete in the final for medical reasons. However, she already has her sights firmly set on the next World Championships in Japan at the end of May 2024.

Setting best times is only possible with hard training

Licia trains ten to twelve hours a week. At the same time, she has successfully completed an apprenticeship as a businesswoman and attaches great importance to continuing her professional development. The 60% workload at Schaerer allows her to juggle both: "I spend my days off on the track in summer and on the roller in winter. I also do strength training." This constant and hard training ultimately forms the basis for further personal best times.

Flexible work planning

As Schaerer has adapted very flexibly to Licia's schedule, her job gives her enough room for her sporting ambitions. She alternates between working two or three days a week and shares the workplace with her colleague. Licia enjoys the challenge there just as much as on the sports field. "I like dealing with customers - it's very respectful, especially at Schaerer. The aim of all employees is to ensure that all customers are completely satisfied."

Plans for the future

"Of course I have the dream of becoming a professional athlete and I train hard for it. But I also want to achieve something professionally." Licia, who combines the professional and sporting worlds with a great deal of vigour, shows that Swiss values always pay off.