Olympic sailing: "What we work and burn for"

The European Championship title won in Aarhus, Denmark, in 2015 was worth more than gold for Ferdinand Gerz and Oliver Szymanski. It came at the right time one year before the Olympic Games and was an important signal for the Munich-based sailor and his Berlin-based coxswain, who then set course for Rio with renewed self-confidence. For helmsman Ferdinand Gerz - son of Wolfgang Gerz, who won the Finn World Championship in 1981 - this is his second Olympic participation. Ferdi Gerz made his Olympic debut with Patrick Follmann in Weymouth, Great Britain, in 2012. The duo sailed to 13th place four years ago and the man from Segler-Verein Wörthsee wants to improve on this result at his second attempt with a new co-sailor. Alongside RS:X surfer Toni Wilhelm, Gerz is the only athlete in the current Olympic sailing squad to be competing in Guanabara Bay with Olympic experience.

It is the second Olympic start for helmsman Ferdi Gerz and the first for Oliver Szymanski. The 470 duo from Munich and Berlin catapulted themselves into the wider circle of medal contenders with European Championship gold in 2015. Gerz definitely wants to improve on his 13th place at the 2012 Olympic Games and sail into the medal final.

For Oliver Szymanski, it is an Olympic premiere. The skipper from Joersfelder Segel-Club, who has been in the same boat as Gerz for around two and a half years, says: "For me, taking part in the Olympic Games is the greatest thing I've ever experienced. My whole life has been centred around it so far and it simply means everything to me." Both sailors are looking forward to the opening ceremony on 5 August. Gerz says: "The opening ceremony is always something very special! On the other hand, we're not travelling to the Olympic Games for the opening ceremony, but for the competitions. That's what we work and burn for. That's why I'm looking forward to the competitions the most!"

The duo from Munich and Berlin, who grew up sailing on inland lakes, find the capricious Olympic area with its changing demands on tactical and strategic skills very favourable. Foreskipper Szymanski says of his helmsman Ferdi Gerz: "He can make decisions at lightning speed and has very strong nerves." Gerz, whose father came fifth in the Finn class at the 1984 Olympic Games, likes to benefit from his coxswain's "visionary skills": "Oliver has an incredible feel for the boat and an extremely good eye for wind fields. He always stays cool, even in difficult situations."

The crew of Audi Sailing Team Germany has worked successfully with coaches such as Marek Chochian, Lukas Zellmar and Hendrik Ismar. DSV head coach David Howlett has also played an important role in the preparation for the Olympic campaign. Gerz explains: "David expressed his confidence in us and gave us a lot of self-confidence." Howlett has high hopes for the 470 duo: "Ferdi and Oliver are clever sailors who have great chemistry. They complement each other very well, harmonise perfectly and have often proven that challenging waters like Rio de Janeiro suit them well. They won their European Championship title in similar conditions. In the men's 470, however, the teams from Australia and Croatia have built up a small lead. It will be tough to beat them. But Ferdi and Oliver have the potential to do so. They are strong in the analyses."