“We are here to win”

At exactly 5 pm on Tuesday, the signal sounds: Brian Thomi and his cabinetmakers have to finish off their 19 rivals for the world championship title no matter what they do. The first of four days of the WorldSkills Competition 2022 for 20 men has come to an end. Thomi was satisfied: “In the morning I had the feeling that I was being a little too slow. But now it’s okay.”

Thomi’s competition site at the Basel Exhibition Center is easy to find: next to her small workshop is a poster that says “Hopp Brian” next to her painting. There is always a huge crowd of people in front of the workplace: Thomi’s mom, dad and grandmother, but also friends, acquaintances and relatives who cross their fingers for the Aargau man. In addition, many trade visitors who really visit the Swiss wood fair where the WorldSkills competition is integrated and want to see Switzerland’s medal hope in action.

cool and comfortable

Thomi was frankly unaffected by all this turmoil. Concentrated and calm, she works at her workbench and machines. Unlike other campaigners, it’s unlikely he’s nervous. On the contrary, Thomi seems easy and relaxed. It seems that he can hide what is going on around him. “I didn’t notice almost anything all day except my work, I was able to concentrate fully,” she confirmed after the competition ended.

Thomi’s workshop is always perfectly tidy. There is no unused tool around. There is not the slightest piece of wood on the floor, not even a bit of sawdust. Thomi seems to have more time than her rivals or an invisible hand to help her. Mom Andrea Thomi says Brian is very organized and quiet. But it’s also purposeful.

Thomi also does not notice how the two opponents are advancing next to her. Neither with Mohammed Ali Azamuddin Allias from Malaysia, nor with Daniel Sajtos from Hungary. He knows from Allias that his container of personal tools got lost on the way to Switzerland – unfortunately a big handicap. Thomi keeps in touch with her rivals outside of competition. They live in the same hotel and eat together, on Sunday there was a guided tour of Basel for everyone. Of course it was particularly exciting for participants from Japan, China, Finland and South Africa.

months of training

Thomi’s goal is clear, as her mentor Tobias Hugentobler said: “We’re here to win.” The young competitor has spent the last few months in the woodwork of the Hugentobler in Braunau, near Wil SG. He trained with Swiss WorldSkills experts for professional world championships. On three small pieces of furniture for the past three months. WorldSkills provided the plans for the training.

The participants knew they had to produce one of these in a slightly modified form in Basel. Now an office with drawers. Hugentobler says it’s also a challenge for top young professionals at WorldSkills. “The time factor will decide,” he says.

However, one small change surprised Thomi, as she thought she had tried and knew all possible variants. “Drawer guide, unusually, inside, not outside.” He’s never done this before. But that doesn’t bother him either. He is confident that he can overcome this obstacle.

And how does he feel after the first day? Is he still competing for the podium or even for the world title? “I haven’t made a big mistake so far,” he says. “Everything is still clear.” And a slight smile spreads across his face.

Basel – instead of Shanghai

In fact, 20 young men should have met for WorldSkills in Shanghai, not Basel – with hundreds of other competitors from a wide variety of professions. However, during the year it became clear that the implementation of the big event could become complicated or even impossible due to the Covid restrictions in China. WorldSkills in Shanghai has been cancelled, alternatively, as WorldSkills Competition 2022, 60 professional competitions are currently being held in 15 countries. For the woodworking professions (cabinets, carpenters and carpenters) until Friday at the wood fair in Basel.