173 Ilca 7 helmsmen and 120 Ilca 6 helmswomen from 53 nations are once again demonstrating the outstanding strength of the largest Olympic sailing discipline at the European Championships. "The series is brutally well-staffed," says Marc Pickel, who is coaching Philipp Buhl and Maximilian Reger in the Split area. The stakes are unusually high for Buhl at this European ChampionshipHe has to finish the series in the top three to sail his way back into the Olympic squad.
It's not easy to perform to the point. I try to do it." Philipp Buhl
"Of course I have the result a little bit in my head. I'm realistic enough to know that you can't always achieve that. I've dropped a few points here and there, including today. In the first race on the first day, I hit the gate from the Outer Loop, even though we were sailing on the Inner Loop. But overall things are going well so far," said the 2020 world champion, who has set his sights on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, on Wednesday evening, summarising his progress.
Good announcements that can make or break a European Championship
After seven of the twelve scheduled European Championship races, Buhl was in third place behind New Zealander George Gautrey and Olympic silver medallist and two-time world champion Pavlos Kontides (Cyprus). The German perennial favourite has handled the pressure very well so far. "I watch him with awe and respect. Everyone makes mistakes here. It's the toughest Olympic class that Buhli has chosen. And the conditions here are not easy, which he has mastered very well so far," said event coach Marc Pickel in the Marina Kaštela in Split.
Buhl, on the other hand, is happy to have two-time Olympian Marc Pickel, who also coached Erik Heil and Thomas Plößel when they won their second Olympic 49er bronze medal, at his side: "I've worked with him before in 2023. I really like his calls and the things he does on the water. He's often been in these situations himself. Sometimes a call, an announcement before the start can decide a regatta," says Philipp Buhl, who competes for the Norddeutscher Regatta Verein and Segelclub Alpsee-Immenstadt.
Everyone looks to windward. Some see something. That one piece of information can decide whether you go out on the left or right. That can be the deciding factor in a race." Philipp Buhl
Five races are still to be held at the European Championships. The second best GER starter after seven races was Julian Hoffmann (Verein Seglerhaus am Wannsee/Segelclub Alpsee-Immenstadt). The 23-year-old has already picked up two big strike results (33, 42), but the other side of his half-time record shone brightly with 6th, 5th, 2nd, 5th and 5th places. "My starts were bad for the two high results. The first time I set off too late and wasn't positioned well enough in relation to the surrounding boats. It was similar in the first race today."
Julian Hoffmann in a good EM position
Starts are "a big focus point" for the helmsman from Blaichach-Ettensberg. However, Hoffmann's interim conclusion in Marina Kaštela is optimistic: "My position is not bad, a good starting position for the next two days." He also has a forecast for the European Championship final sprint, which still has a lot of catch-up potential with the five remaining races.
I think we will have to flip the switch, because after the seabreeze days we can expect offshore, shifting and gusty winds." Julian Hoffmann
It is interesting to note that Hoffmann sometimes keeps an eye on the three top players in the Ilca 7 class at the European Championships: "Pavlos Kontides, Filp Jurisic and Jonathan Vadnai have been preparing intensively together in the European Championship area. They have a lot of experience in this area and are also co-favourites. You can definitely keep an eye on them." Just like Philipp Buhl.
Julian Hoffmann says: "For me, he is part of the team. It would be hugely important and good for all of us if he could train with us again. If we already have someone who has finished fourth twice at the last two Sailing Grand Slams with all the favourites at the start, then that's a no-brainer."
Ole Schweckendiek wins European Championship race seven
The third best GER helmsman shortly after the halfway point of the European Championships was Ole Schweckendieck, another two years younger. Still in 20th place, the KYC helmsman could benefit from the more complicated conditions of the last two days of the European Championships. However, he already made a bold statement on Wednesday after the downturn with 37th and 29th place in a convincing start-finish race victory in race seven in the gold fleet.
It wasn't my most brilliant day today. I didn't have any good starts. But the last race rounded off the day well." Ole Schweckendiek
Ole Schweckendiek won the race in 14 to 16 knots of hanging wind. "What Ole showed there with some good hicking in a pretty blatant speed race was very good. We're on the right track," said Ilca 7 coach Alex Schlonski. At the same time, the coach also recognises that some of his protégés are lacking consistency this week after some very strong performances in the spring series. Click here for the interim results of the Ilca-7-EM.
"The results are a bit mixed. We started well in Palma. That naturally raises expectations. Overall, we are a little inconsistent here. On the other hand, the potential is there. Julian has many top placings. But if the start isn't right, then it will be difficult," said Schlonski. He said of Ole Schweckendiek's performance: "He's extremely good in the light wind anyway. He worked a lot, athletically as well. It's cool when he leads a race like this in such conditions from the start and brings it to the finish."
A tough day in the EM area
Like the others from the German Sailing Team, the youngest member of the team, Ole Schweckendiek, also knew a thing or two about the demanding programme with three races and a total of around six and a half hours on the water on Wednesday evening: "I've just come from the physio. First I need to freshen up - and get my legs fit."
So well prepared, the best German Ilca 7 racers go into the final races on Thursday and Friday. Three more are on the programme for the final day. Two are planned for the final day. Medal races as in the Olympic format will not be held at the Ilca-7 European Championships. This also applies to the Ilca 6 sailors, who have already sailed eight races and still have four to go. Maria Erdi from Hungary is in the lead ahead of American Chalotte Rose and perennial favourite Emma Plasschaert from Belgium.
VSaW helmswoman Julia Büsselberg was once again the strongest GER starter in 13th place after strong fluctuations in results in 19th, 3rd, 13th, (61st/early start), 10th, 2nd, 20th and 25th place. So far, she has also been able to leave top sailors such as 2023 World Championship runner-up Maud Jayet (Switzerland, 16th) or 2022 World Championship runner-up Maxime Jonker (Netherlands, 22nd) in her stern water in the field of 120 Ilca-6 starters. Here are the interim results for the women's European Championships.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
