Behind the
dream.
A short introduction to who we are, why this event exists, and the journey we're inviting you to be part of.
Why this evening exists.
Alps2LA started with a simple realisation. Two of the people closest to us were quietly chasing something extraordinary, and the gap between Swiss national champion and Olympic athlete is not bridged by talent alone. It is bridged by training camps, equipment, travel, recovery, and the hundreds of small costs that pile up across a four-year cycle. Watching that pressure build from the sidelines, we decided we did not want to just cheer from a distance. We wanted to do something.
So we built an evening. A room full of people who believe in Nico and Seric, a stage for their story, and a chance for everyone in it to put their name on the journey to Los Angeles. This is a student-led fundraiser hosted at HIM Montreux, organised by friends, classmates, and people who think the road to LA 2028 should not be walked alone.
Meet Nico & Seric.
Nicolas Chambers and Seric Critchley are Swiss national champions and U23 World Championship bronze medallists. They row out of Switzerland, train through every season the Alps throw at them, and have spent years turning early mornings on the water into results that now put Olympic qualification within reach. Their progression has been steady, deliberate, and earned the hard way.
Behind them sits a serious support system of coaches, training partners, and family who have shaped the athletes they are today. Ahead of them sits the road to LA 2028, which means selection regattas, international competition, and the relentless work of staying at the level required to qualify. Everything between now and the start line in Los Angeles is what Alps2LA is about.
Meet the speakers.
Raphaël Roulet
Raphaël is the coach behind Nico Chambers and Seric Critchley's push toward Los Angeles. He has been with them for 7 years and has even raced with them. At Alps2LA, he will share the story from the boat seat, but also the perspective of a coach, what it really takes to chase the Olympic dream.
Isabelle von Burg
Isabelle von Burg is a former General Manager of the prestigious Lausanne Palace and brings over 20 years of international leadership experience in luxury hospitality. A graduate of EHL Hospitality Business School, she has held senior leadership roles with Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, The Ritz-Carlton, Jumeirah and Leading Hotels of the World across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Today, Isabelle is an entrepreneur, international speaker, leadership coach and advisor. Passionate about helping people grow and thrive, she works with organizations and individuals to develop the human skills that drive performance, resilience and long-term success.
She is also the Founder of Next-Gen Human Leaders, an initiative dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders through self-leadership, personal growth and human-centered leadership.
From Montreux to Los Angeles.
Every franc raised at Alps2LA goes directly toward the cost of getting Nico and Seric to LA 2028. That means training camps, racing fees, equipment, travel to international regattas, and the recovery and nutrition that keep elite athletes competing at the top. Every ticket, every donation, and every conversation in the room moves that number forward. Supporters do not just contribute. They become part of the story we hope to tell from the Olympic Village in two years' time.
So enjoy the evening, meet the athletes, hear from our guest speakers, and know that by being here you are already part of this. The road to Los Angeles starts in Montreux. 5th of June, it starts with you.
With thanks to our partners.
