Students of the School of Economics and Business, University of Ljubljana, visited Toni Vodišek, sailor of the year and winner of an Olympic medal, on Thursday, April 9, 2026. The meeting took place as part of the project Entrepreneurial Knowledge for Recognition (Problem-Based Learning of Students in the Workplace), under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Boštjan Antončič and Eldina Domazet, and offered the students an exceptional opportunity for direct contact with a top athlete whose story inspires far beyond the world of sports.

Toni Vodišek welcomed the students at the Capris Capodistria Boutique Hotel, where he presented his competitive path, from his first sailing steps in the Optimist class to top successes in the Formula Kite class. He particularly highlighted the importance of the family environment in the development of his career, as he followed the example of his father Rajko Vodišek, who became his coach, and continued his path in the discipline in which he later reached the world's top. He also shared with the students his experience of winning the silver Olympic medal at the 2024 Olympic Games and numerous other top achievements.

The focus of the meeting was not only on the sports story, but also on the mindset for achieving goals. Toni Vodišek emphasized that top results are not a coincidence, but the result of clear direction, discipline, sacrifice, systematic work, and perseverance. He highlighted the importance of an individual finding an area that truly brings them joy and then setting one big goal that carries the strength of all the other goals. According to him, it is this focus that gives an athlete or an individual in any field additional energy and internal motivation. He also placed great emphasis on the importance of the team and the support of the environment. In addition to the support of family, coaches, sponsors, sports organizations, and the wider community, he also highlighted personal support, especially the importance of the right life partner. It is precisely in difficult times that one becomes aware of how valuable stable personal support is, which makes it easier for an individual to persevere on the path to the highest goals.

Nika Hilj, who works in management, also made a significant contribution to the understanding of modern top-level sport. She drew the students' attention to the importance of promotion in sport, especially the role of social networks and modern communication in building the recognition of an athlete, their achievements, and the wider sports story. This gave the meeting an additional dimension, as it showed the students how closely sport, management, promotion, and strategic communication are connected today.

The students also visited the Jadro Koper Sailing Club, one of the most important Slovenian sailing clubs, where Toni Vodišek also trained at the beginning of his sporting career. Prof. Dr. Boštjan Antončič introduced the club and various competitive class sailboats to the students, giving them an even broader insight into the development of the sailing environment and the importance of clubs in shaping top athletes. Meeting with Toni Vodišek was a valuable experience for the students, as it offered them a direct insight into the world of top-level sport, while also raising important questions about goals, perseverance, personal growth, promotion, and the support systems behind success.