Olympic sailing: "Whoever bites the most wins!"

Philipp Buhl did not expect his comeback to go so well after a weak start to the year and a self-imposed break. The 29-year-old was not fit at the beginning of the year due to a number of colds and did not have a successful start to the pre-Olympic season. Disappointing placings and self-doubt were the result. He obviously did the right thing, cancelled the World Cup regatta in Genoa, which was already extremely slack, withdrew for a few weeks and got his body and mind back into the best possible shape. With new courage and old ambition, the man from Sonthofen started the European Championships last Monday off Porto in Portugal. He had thought that a top ten finish would give him a boost after the setbacks he had suffered in the World Championship-ready field at the continental title fights in southern Europe.

But it got even better: Buhl started the six-day series with a race win in light winds. It was clear to see what he said afterwards: "I haven't won a race for a long time. This victory feels good." It was the start of a very successful European Championship so far. After ten long races over five days, Philipp Buhl now starts the final on Saturday with a chance of winning the title and a medal. In contrast to the Olympic format, the Laser class does not have a double medal race at the European Championships, but ends the title fights with two more classic races, each lasting just under an hour.

The 162 Laser sailors from 55 nations also had two such challenges on Friday in up to 25 knots of wind and lively Atlantic waves. Buhl enjoyed such conditions and moved up to fourth place with 2nd and 7th place. Australian Olympic champion Tom Burton leads the Open European Championship standings ahead of the showdown on Saturday. However, the new European Champion will be crowned according to the separate European Championship standings (without overseas crews), in which Buhl is in second place, seven points behind Lorenzo Chiavarini from Great Britain. The Allgäuer has thus successfully catapulted himself out of his little slump and is accordingly highly motivated.

Buhl's prediction for the decision: "Whoever bites the most wins." This statement is primarily related to the renewed forecast of fresh to strong winds for the final day in Porto, Portugal. After the power play in the natural elements with winds of around 25 knots on Friday, Buhl said the evening before the final: "The races today were a lot of fun, but I'm certainly not the only one whose back felt like a lorry had driven over it tonight." With around 70 per cent cruciate, athleticism and stamina are high on the agenda. "I think I'm going to attack tomorrow," said Buhl on the evening before the decision in the battle for the European Championship title and medals.

Denmark's Anne-Marie Rindom is in the lead in the Olympic Laser Radial sailors ahead of Emma Plasschaert from Belgium and the Dutch Olympic champion Marit Bouwmeester. Svenja Weger moved up to 24th place as the best DSV starter after a weak start with good results on the last two days.

Here to see the intermediate results.