Q: If you could banish one thing from your life - for the rest of your life - what would it be?
SV: If I could, it would be the internet. Unfortunately I can’t because the decision is not mine to make, but I think we all use the internet more than we think. I am aware that the internet can do a lot of positive things, but there are also negative aspects and that’s why I believe in a healthy dose of ‘self-limitation’, as of course banishing it is not an option.
Q: If you could give your younger self some advice what would it be?
SV: I am still not very patient - this was really never a quality I had - so I probably would tell my younger self to practise some serious patience! (laughs)
Q: What would you spend your last dollar on?
SV: Ah, unfortunately there are not a lot of things these days that you can get for one dollar! The idea of spending money wisely is quite a strong one within me, so I would probably give it to somebody who really needs it.
Q: What is your greatest weakness?
SV: I am very stubborn - and impatient. But I have already admitted that before! (laughs)
Q: What scares you?
SV: That people are getting too stressed. There is this famous question that asks what you would wish for if it were your last wish in your life. I would wish for people stressing less about everything!
Q: What’s your ultimate comfort food?
SV: I love food, so there are a lot dishes I really do like. Ultimately I have to confess it is vanilla ice cream.
Q: What’s your favourite smell?
SV: The smell of forest. When you walk through a forest or pass by freshly-cut wood. I love that special odour that is different to anything else.
Q: What tastes like home?
SV: My mum’s cooking.
Q: What’s the first thing you do when you get home after a race?
SV: I try to exhale, to get a rest. You shut the door behind you and leave the hustle and bustle of the world outside. Just for a short moment - before you start again to prepare for the next race, the next event.