The thunderstorm rolling over Strande could not dampen the mood: In the pouring rain, the Olympians Susann Beucke, Alica Stuhlemmer, Paul Kohlhoff and Philipp Buhl entered the hall at Strande harbour on Friday evening, where the careers of the three medallists once began at Opti age.
They were welcomed by the mayor of Strand, Dr Holger Klink, who, accompanied by the NDR cameras, hosted the evening. There were also words of welcome from Kiel's Lord Mayor Ulf Kämpfer, the Minister President Daniel Günther and the Head of Organisation of Kieler Woche Dirk Ramhorst. Hauke Bohnen, the club's rigging master, then took on the task of presenting the three medal winners with the golden badge of honour.
Numerous successful sailing athletes from the club's membership came to celebrate the Olympians, including René Schwall (bronze in the Tornado 2000) and Jörg Diesch (gold in the Flying Dutchman 1976), Vendée Globe sailor Boris Herrmann, 2018 Farr 40 World Champion Wolfgang Schäfer and mini-transat soloist Morten Bogacki
On the club's website the mood is impressively reproduced:"It's totally overwhelming," said Alica Stuhlemmer, for whom the reception was even more emotional than the farewell before the games. "It's totally surreal to be signing autographs and taking photos here now. But it's super nice," said Susann Beucke. "I haven't really realised it yet," said the 30-year-old. "I haven't had a second to myself since the regatta. I've also slept very little, even before the medal race, because we were already excited. I'm curious to see when the batteries run out."
The Nacra 17 crew felt the same way. "We've experienced so much since we sailed our last race. I think we need a bit of time over the next few weeks to process it all," says Stuhlemmer. "Paul and I woke up every morning and checked to see if the medal was still there. Whether it was really there," said the 21-year-old with a smile. "It's indescribable, I can't really comprehend that so many people have been cheering us on and are now welcoming us here. It's crazy!"
Susann Beucke and Philipp Buhl had competed for other clubs (Lutz/ Beucke: Chiemsee Yacht-Club/Norddeutscher Regatta Verein; Buhl: Segelclub Alpsee-Immenstadt/Norddeutscher Regatta Verein), but have been members of the Kieler Yacht-Club for years. The team in the Nacra 17, Paul Kohlhoff and Alica Stuhlemmer, competed in the Olympic Games under the banner of the traditional club on the fjord. Even if the sailors still need some time before they fully realise their huge success, they can already celebrate their medals."
Lasse Johannsen
Deputy Editor in Chief YACHT
