Toni Wilhelm is an optimist. Before the start of the Olympic Games, the RS:X surfer from Dogern had predicted three medals for the young German sailing team. One of them should be his. After a botched Olympic debut and 30th place eight years ago in Athens, the 29-year-old wants to go for precious metal at his second attempt off Weymouth. This time, the only Olympic experienced starter in the DSV sailing fleet is among the favourites and says: "I want to fight for a medal."
At the opening ceremony, the man from the Württemberg Yacht Club "kept getting cold shivers down his spine". "It was much better than in 2004," says Wilhelm, "perhaps also because there was such a good atmosphere in the team this time". In the stadium circle, Wilhelm was amused to observe "that there are hierarchies even among athletes". He found it funny "how lesser-known athletes sneaked up on the superstars to get a photo with them".
"The most beautiful sport in the world"
An enthusiastic surfing father and a holiday on Lake Garda lured the competitive athlete, who grew up in the border triangle in Baden-Württemberg, onto the board and into the wind and waves at the age of eight. For ten years now, Toni Wilhelm, a "southern light", has been Germany's number 1 in Olympic surfing. Wilhelm's driving forces are passion and ambition: "I consider it a privilege to be able to practise the most beautiful sport in the world." In the style of his role models Dirk Nowitzki and Roger Federer, Wilhelm also cites his willpower as his best weapon.
The 1.82 metre tall and 76 kilogramme athlete has long since come to terms with his failure at his Olympic premiere in Athens. "I had overdone the weight craze back then, starving myself down to 72 kilograms with a view to the light wind race. Then there was the nervousness," he recalls. "This time I'm going to keep my focus, not let myself go crazy when it comes to equipment and enjoy what I've worked my arse off for over the years."
The girlfriend as a pool of peace
His Swiss girlfriend Anne-Sophie Thilo, herself an Olympian as a 470 sailor in 2008, will be keeping her fingers crossed for Wilhelm on site from 4 August. "She is my calming influence and will do me good," says Wilhelm, who is starting the Olympic regatta today like his team-mate Moana Delle from Kiel and wants to be in the medal final of the top ten Olympic RS:X surfers on 7 August. Wilhelm has overcome his previous weakness in light winds. Nevertheless, the strong-wind ace does not want to have a whole flat week in the challenging English current waters. To kick things off, the Olympic area is serving up Wilhelm's "favourite dish": 30 knots of wind to begin with, which should drop to 20 knots by the afternoon.
After a setback due to a shoulder injury last year, Wilhelm has fought his way back into the world elite this season and emphasised his medal ambitions with third place at the World Cup in Hyères. Wilhelm has grown wiser and is looking forward to his second outing with visible and audible genuine joy: "How many people would pay millions to experience the thrill of an Olympic start?"
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
