The 18-year-old from Kiel has been nominated for his performances at the U21 World Championships in Ilca 7. He surprisingly managed to win the title in Portugal last year. Schweckendiek scored twice in Vilamoura at the age of 17: immediately after switching from the Ilca 6 to the Ilca 7, he was nominated for the U21 World Championships thanks to his outstanding performance. U19 and U21 world champion. The sailor, who will be on the starting line for the Kiel Yacht Club, has already been Junior European champion in Ilca 6 last year. These two titles were enough for him last year to Schleswig-Holstein's athlete of the year 2022 to become.
In addition to Schweckendiek, the following four athletes have been nominated: Amadeus Gräber (decathlon), Selina Grotian (biathlon), Clara Schneider (track cycling), Helen Kevric (artistic gymnastics).
Schweckendiek- the first sailor to win the election?
The winner of the Online election will then be presented with the "Sporthilfe Junior Athlete 2023" award in Düsseldorf on 21 October. Ole Schweckendiek will not be able to attend the award ceremony, as the Ilca Under-21 World Championships are taking place in Morocco at the time, where the Kiel native will be competing in the role of defending champion.
He would be the first sailor to be honoured with the prize since it was first awarded in 1978. If Schweckendiek succeeds in being chosen, he would join a number of big names: Niklas Kaul (2017), Laura Dahlmeier (2013), Magdalena Neuner (2007 and 2008), Maria Höfl-Riesch (2004), Timo Boll (1997) and Franziska von Almsick (1992), among others, have been honoured for their sporting achievements.
