The moments when Philipp Buhl and national coach Alex Schlonski were hugging each other after crossing the finish line of the twelfth and final race of the Laser World Championship off Melbourne are something neither of them will forget in a hurry. "I didn't expect Philipp to go through the roof like this. We had trained well here and certainly had a medal in mind, but this performance is simply incredible," said Schlonski, once a world-class Laser sailor himself. It took Philipp Buhl seven years to reach the top after winning his first World Championship bronze medal in 2013. Now he has written a chapter in German sailing history with World Championship gold off Melbourne in Down Under. For the first time in the 46-year history of the Laser class, which has been an Olympic sport since 1996, a German helmsman has won the title. Buhl has come close several times in his career, winning World Championship silver in 2015 and a second bronze in 2018. Now he has finally successfully stormed one of the two peaks of his dreams. The Allgäu native recalls the moment he crossed the finish line as follows: "There was just total inner satisfaction."
The 30-year-old from Sonthofen secured his title in an outstanding field of 124 boats from 44 nations even one race before the end. With an impressive series of 4, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 5, 6 and 10, he had already built up the necessary lead over Australian Matt Wearn, who was runner-up for the third time in a row. With another strong fourth place in the twelfth and final race, Buhl completed his world championship gala. In the final standings, he had a twelve-point lead over Matt Wearn, who fairly congratulated his German rival: "Philipp did a really good job and sailed strongly. He really deserves this title." Third place went to the Croatian Tonci Stipanovic.
With his triumph, the successful member of the German Sailing Team not only dethroned the armada of strong Australian sailors in their home waters, but also the entire world elite. Among those beaten was Olympic champion Robert Scheidt from Brazil, who, following his comeback last year, was unable to cope in this series, which was not only, but primarily, characterised by strong winds, and had to abandon the series at the end due to illness, finishing in 42nd place. Buhl said: "Either way, it's an honour to sail in the same field as Robert Scheidt. And if there is a little less wind, he is quickly back in front. I had a picture of him stuck in my school folder when I was 15, saw him sail for the first time, was allowed to compete against him for the first time at some point, and now my name is on the trophy, which has his name on it nine times." With the title, Buhl also threw his glove into the Olympic ring. As world champion, he will start his second Olympic regatta in Enoshima, Japan, this summer stronger and "a little more relaxed", meaning he can also tick off his failed 2016 Olympic premiere.
On the other side of Phillip Bay, which DSV helmsman Buhl made his own on this Sunday and not just by name, his sailing friend and NRV club mate Erik Heil was cheering him on. Heil had won world championship bronze in the 49er with Thomas Plößel in the same bay the day before. He had often spoken to Buhl in the past about Tom Slingsby and Nathan Outteridge being their role models. The two Australians won Olympic gold in 2012 - Slingsby in the Laser, Outteridge with Iain Jensen in the 49er. The top German sailors are also working towards this next summit assault. "I'm much happier about Buhli's gold than our bronze medal. That's the thing!" said Erik Heil in Geelong. Buhl's conclusion: "I've come very close to the title a few times. It's incredibly difficult to win. I think the Laser class is the hardest to win a world title. I'm just happy."
Congratulations for the new king of the Laser class on Sunday morning not only came in abundance from the beaten competitors at Sandringham Yacht Club; many also came from home. Germany's most successful sailor Jochen Schümann congratulated the new Laser world champion from training off Mallorca: "The title is super cool and well deserved. He is obviously the best in windy conditions! This will give him confidence for everything else. It's good confirmation of his continuous work. Now the next step. We finally have two real medal candidates in the Laser and the 49er!" NRV Managing Director Klaus Lahme said: "This is probably the most successful week for the NRV and the NRV Olympic Team with two medals in two days and the World Championship title. I am particularly impressed by the confidence with which Philipp won this World Championship."
Buhl hopes that his success will inspire sailing in this country: "Nobody here believed that we could win anymore. With the recent medals won by Erik Heil and Thomas Plößel at the 49er World Championship this weekend, we're showing what's possible." Roland Gäbler, Olympic bronze medallist from 2000, said: "Only those who have stamina can achieve great things. Philipp's professional attitude and stamina are exemplary and inspiring." Buhl, a former ski racer who grew up in the Allgäu region, learnt his trade at the Alpsee-Immenstadt sailing club on the Großer Alpsee from his father Friedel Buhl on a Flying Dutchman. He dedicates the title to his family, partners and companions: "I consider it a great privilege to be able to practise competitive sport at this level and to torture myself for success. I thank those who make it possible for me. First and foremost my father."
