Sailing World Cup Miami: Silver as a reward for strong nerves and determination

The British double world champion Nick Thompson had it in his own hands before the start of the final race of the laser sailors. While the World Cup gold had already been awarded early to Olympic champion Tom Burton from Australia, five sailors - including second-placed Thompson and Philipp Buhl, who was one point behind in third place - went into the final showdown with a chance of silver or bronze. Thompson had the best prospects, but his positioning in the field was not compelling enough. His German rival Philipp Buhl did better, sailing into second place in the second half of the thrilling race after many changes of position and defending it with great concentration and impressive speed - especially downwind. In the end, it was the man from Sonthofen who celebrated silver like gold because he put in a brilliant race, parried all the attacks of the attacking Thompson, especially on the last downwind section, and never wavered.

"For me, this silver medal feels a bit like gold," said Buhl in a relaxed mood in Miami this afternoon. "As gold was taken before the final, I got the best I could. I'm mega happy about that. I don't begrudge Tom his gold and take my hat off to his performance. I myself am happy that I finally managed such a good medal race again, after a few uncertainties had caused me to have some doubts recently."

Once again to enjoy and also excellent as a tactics school: the final of the Olympic laser sailors at the Sailing World Cup off Miami

In addition to his own success, Buhl was also delighted with the good performances of his team-mates, of whom the 28-year-old is the active spokesperson: "It was great how Vicky and Anika performed! I think that's doubly cool!" Like the two Berlin winners of the 49erFX World Cup regatta, Buhl is also aiming to clear the nation qualification hurdle for the 2020 Olympic Games in the Laser at an early stage as part of his third Olympic campaign at the World Championships in Aarhus this summer. But that's not all - Buhl has more on his mind: "I want to fight for the world title." The German Olympic sailors have been waiting for the next World Championship title since the last World Championship gold by Tornado sailors Roland Gäbler and René Schwall in 2000.

After the Laser sailors and the Laser Radial sailors, the 470 crews were challenged in the medal race off Miami. With Simon Diesch/Philipp Autenrieth (Bayerischer Yacht-Club) and Malte Winkel/Matti Cipra (Plauer Wassersportverein), the German Sailing Team was represented twice. Diesch/Autenrieth and Winkel/Cipra finished the series in 8th and 10th place. Thanks to 49erFX gold, Laser silver and a further four top ten places, the German Sailing Team finished fourth in the unofficial national rankings behind the sailing nations Great Britain (4 x gold, 1 x bronze), France (2 x gold, 1 x silver, 1 x bronze) and Australia (2 x gold, 1 x bronze) and is starting the 2018 sailing season with a good feeling.