Sailing Olympic: Memorable breakaway day for Team Germany

Many German sailors will remember the final day of the World Championships in Clearwater, Florida, for a long time. Some for good reason, others would rather forget it. It was the day on which Germany's rising stars of 2015 had to retire with a badly damaged boat after a self-inflicted "T-bone crash" (see picture) and the Berliners Vicky Jurczok and Anika Lorenz, who were sailing within medal range in the 49erFX, had to accept three setbacks in a row. It was also the day on which Erik Heil and Thomas Plößel capsized in a promising fifth position, tearing their foot straps in the process. In this race, the crew from the Norddeutscher Regatta Verein could only manage 21st place. Despite a lightning-fast eight-minute repair and subsequent 5th and 10th places, they only managed twelfth place in the intermediate classification one day before the final. However, the Berliners have up to three races left today to finish in the top 10 and secure a place in the medal final.

The Berliners Victoria Jurczok and Anika Lorenz, who had sailed outstandingly so far, fell behind on the final day of all days. As the lightest team in the top group with a total weight of just 125 kilograms (other teams weigh between 130 and 138 kilograms), the crew from the Seglerhaus am Wannsee club had less to contend with in the medium winds of around 15 knots than with plenty of swell in the area off Clearwater. With 18th, 14th and 12th places, the women, who had previously been on course for a medal, slipped back to seventh place. However, with up to three more races before the start of the medal final and 17 points behind third place, the Berliners still had a small chance of winning a medal. "Püppi" Jurczok said combatively: "We'll do everything as usual tomorrow, because we've done very well here. Everything is still open!" Milder conditions are forecast for today's races on Sunday, which suit Jurczok/Lorenz better. Their team-mates Tina Lutz and Susann Beucke will start the final day of the World Championships in twelfth place overall. They also had to accept a capsize in a promising position on Saturday. Leonie Meyer and Elena Stoffers are 16 points behind tenth place in the remaining races of the main round and still have a wafer-thin chance of qualifying for the medal race on Sunday afternoon (later Sunday evening German time).

The German highlight of the penultimate day of the World Championship for Audi Sailing Team Germany was set by Justus Schmidt and Max Boehme from Kiel, who achieved a small masterpiece with the last race on Saturday. Sailing gourmets can watch the replay ( www.49er.org "Day 5"). The young crew from the Kieler Yacht-Club, who will start the last World Championship races before the medal race on Sunday in 16th place, 23 points behind tenth place, managed one of these unforgettable races at the end of the penultimate day of the regatta.

A lightning start had Schmidt/Boehme sailing in the leading group right from the start. With courageous positioning far to the left on the course, they took the lead after two thirds of the first cross on the way to the top mark - and never relinquished it until the finish. The gala performance was impressive in terms of speed and confidence, as the New Zealand high-flyers Peter Burling and Blair Tuke were always looking for an overtaking opportunity at the stern of the Kiel team. However, Schmidt and Boehme did not open one up for the defending champions and 2015 World Sailors of the Year. "We were very confident in terms of our speed and the laylines. One thing simply went with the other," explained Schmidt. The KYC crew sailed the course flawlessly, demonstrated perfect manoeuvres and made formidable amends, especially for themselves, for the botched preliminary round, which had deprived the team of a much better position. "That was a very, very good feeling," said Justus Schmidt.

How will the World Cup end today?

Up to three final races are planned for the 49er and 49erFX Gold fleets in the main round.These races will be held from 10am local time (4pm German time) here will be broadcast live. The final Nacra 17 races will also take place at the same time without Kohlhoff/Werner, who have been eliminated, but with Jan Hauke Erichsen and Lea Spitzmann from Flensburg, who can earn points for the national qualification for Rio by finishing in the top 20. Following the final races of the gold fleet, the medal races will take place in all three Olympic disciplines:The Nacra 17 final is scheduled for 2.30 pm local time (8.30 pm German time). The 49er FX finalists will follow at 3.00 pm (9.00 pm German time). The final exclamation mark will be set by the 49er men from 3.30 pm (9.30 pm German time). All three medal races will also be broadcast live. So fans can prepare themselves for a long evening - possibly without a crime scene.