Exhausted, but happy and also a little proud: This is how the mood of Philipp Buhl and Markus Koy can be briefly described after the third day of qualification in the final of the Star Sailors League. The Sonthofen helmsman and his more experienced crew sail on the star boat with the sailing number GER 8442 at eye level with the best in the world from a wide variety of disciplines - and that at Buhl's star boat premiere. The laser vice world champion, who is aiming for his second participation in the Olympics in 2020, is in action in front of Nassau for Johannes Polgar who is unable to work. "The goal was to get into the top ten," said Buhl. "We are really happy that we are fifth after eight races." The gala performance of the third youngest helmsman in the fleet filled with stars and legends and his crew also caught the eye of the prominent guest commentator on the live broadcast. "Mr. America's Cup" Dennis Conner said of the Germans: "This performance should lead them to the final."
Penalties, early starts and world-class performances: the third day of qualification at the final of the Star Sailors League was tough
Behind the American front runners and defending champions Mark Mendelblatt and Brian Fatih (23 points), the Brazilian double Olympic champions Robert Scheidt and Henry Boening (31 points), the three-time Italian Olympic participant and star boot vice world champion Diego Negri with Sergio Lamberthengi (35 points) and the American Volvo Ocean Race and Louis Vuitton Cup winner Paul Cayard with Phil Trinter are Philipp Buhl and Markus Koy with 49 points in fifth place. The Allgäu and the Hamburger from the North German RegattVerein have already laid the foundation stone for the entry into the final knockout rounds on Saturday. A solid performance without major mistakes on the last day of qualification would be enough to participate in the round of the top ten teams.
On the "Italian Day" of the qualifying round, Francesco Bruni and Nando Collanino not only stood out with fourth place and a race win
The five-time Olympic medalist Robert Scheidt, first role model in the laser and later opponent of the up-and-coming Philipp Buhl at world championships and the Olympic Games, explained why a sailor like Buhl can be so good on a star boat for the first time in his career: "The laser class is extremely strong, The competition was brutal. I feel honored that Philipp is here in this field and I wish him luck. " Buhl himself said with a smile: "I had to change some plans for this invitation, but I have no regrets. It is a huge honor to be able to compete against all the legends here. This experience will also bring me something for the laser campaign is clearly number one for me by 2020."
In addition to his talent and his quick perception, Buhl benefits from the wealth of experience his bowman has, who said on Thursday after the races: "I'm really exhausted today." That was mainly meant intellectually, because Koy has to do a lot more at the side of the Starboot apprentice Buhl and take on more tasks than usual. "In this way, he enables me to concentrate on steering quickly and to develop a good feeling for the boat ", explains Buhl in Nassau. "Markus actually says everything: whether higher or lower, where the opponents are, the boat settings, the inclinations. He just does a huge job."
Hubert Merkelbach from Überlingen was also able to achieve good results on Thursday with his Brazilian bowman Arthur Lopes. The only helmsman with amateur status in the Star Fleet qualified for the final of the Star Sailors League as ninth in the annual ranking. With ranks 8 and 13, the duo moved up to 18th place. The fifth in the World Championship this year said in Nassau: "The competition here is brutal. The Olympic sailors in particular are very good at tactical sailing in small fleets."
On the third day of qualification, they were able to improve significantly with ranks 8 and 13: Hubert Merkelbach and Arthur Lopes
Starboot world champion Frithjof Kleen was on the road with Starboot newcomer Paul Goodison on Thursday with a little less fortune than on the previous days. The British Olympic laser champion and two-time moth world champion and his accomplished Berlin bowman were in 10th place before the last day of qualification and have to fight on Friday to survive the cut. At the press conference, Frithjof Kleen amused the audience with his answer to the question about the challenge of sailing with a newcomer to the Starboot: "In a moment I tell him how absolutely great he is. Five minutes later I regret my words."
With lots of light, but also shadow: Starboat world champion Frithjof Kleen with the two-time moth world champion and laser Olympic champion Paul Goodison, who, like Philipp Buhl, competes in the first starboat regatt of his life as an invited "VIP" sailor
You can find the results here
Hubert Merkelbach and Arthur Lopes in action off Nassau