Laser European Championships: Buhl emerges from his slump to win bronze

Philipp Buhl has never won a bronze medal at the European Championships in his career. It now enriches the trophy collection of the Allgäu native, for whom the continental title fights in Portugal were about more than just precious metal. For the 29-year-old from Segel-Club Alpsee Immenstadt, nothing less than his self-confidence was put to the test before the six-day series in the World Championship-ready field. After several setbacks at the start of the season, Buhl had sent himself on a break before the European Championships to get back into shape. Apparently with success.

In the field of 162 Laser sailors from 55 nations, Buhl was able to show that he is still one of the world's best in his Olympic sailing discipline with 3rd place in the European Championship classification and 6th place in the open classification. "That was very important to me," said a relaxed Buhl after the two final races, "I wanted to prove it to the others, but also to myself. I am now perceived differently in the field again." While he is still explaining the psychological value of his bronze medal, Pavlos Kontides, World Sailor of the Year and two-time consecutive Laser World Champion, who was relegated to fourth place by the German by one point, marches past Buhl, stops, congratulates his conqueror at length and pays him respect.

The new European champion is Lorenzo Brando Chiavarani from Great Britain, who also outperformed his national rivals in this series, including double world champion Nick Thompson (2nd), Michael Beckett (5th) and Elliot Hanson (6th). With four teams in the top six of the European Championship rankings, the English proved to be a European Laser power before Porto. It's easy to imagine how hard the fight will be for just one Olympic starting place for 2020. Which in turn contributes to the impressive overall performance.

The fact that Buhl had even started the final day with a chance of winning the title, but was unable to capitalise on this with 15th place and an early start, annoyed the World Championship bronze medallist despite all the joy. "I'm satisfied overall, but not with this day," Buhl scolded himself on Saturday evening. An unfortunate barrel roll in the first race on the final day and a narrow early start disqualification in the second, which only affected Buhl but not two others who were at least on his level, were the deciding factors for third place in the final standings. However, Buhl did not dwell on the not entirely successful finish for long. The joy of having found his way back to his old strength prevailed too much.

National coach Alex Schlonski agreed: "Of course, it's always a shame when you have a chance to win the title but can't capitalise on it. The chance to win was there - which is a very good realisation. Overall, our result is positive. Also because Philipp was able to open the series with a win on the day in light winds and show that he can cope just as well with weak conditions. He can keep up with anyone and beat anyone when he's in a good mood." This bronze medal will remind Philipp Buhl of this on his way to Enoshima 2020.

Pia Kuhlmann was the best German helmswoman in the European Championship field of Laser Radial sailors. The sailor from Schaumburg-Lippischer Segelverein sailed up to 16th place in the pure European Championship rankings and was able to shine once again on the final day in an outstanding field with 8th, 7th, 10th and 9th places. Svenja Weger from Potsdamer Yacht-Club finished the Laser Radial European Championship in 19th place overall. The new European Champion and winner of the overall trophy was so good that she was able to celebrate one race before the end: Anne-Marie Rindom from Denmark impressed in this way and relegated her rival, Olympic champion Marit Bouwmeester, to the SIlber rank. Emma Plasschaert from Belgium came third.

Here to the closed European Championship ranking in Laser Standard.

Here to the open European Championship classification in the Laser Standard.

Here to the closed European Championship ranking in the Laser Radial.

Here the open European Championship classification in the Laser Radial.