Olympia: Germany's best Nacra crew separated - Olympic bronze medallists with new goals
"As Olympic eighth-placed athletes, we were on the train from Paris to Germany in August and wrote a newsletter that would have been much more emotional - but we never sent it.
In the meantime, the necessary rationality has returned and, after a few weeks of distance, we are facing life with more clarity. What we have realised since the summer, however, and what we have already been able to communicate to some extent in personal conversations: In the future, we will go our separate ways in terms of sport."
We are proud of what we have made of Kohlhoff Stuhlemmer Sailing since 2017." Paul Kohlhoff
These are the opening words of a recent newsletter from Germany's best Nacra 17 crew Paul Kohlhoff and Alica Stuhlemmer, who are already history at this point. The 29-year-old from Kiel is embarking on a new chapter in his career, as is his fore-sailor. After eight years together in the Olympic catamaran and two Olympic participations, Paul Kohlhoff and Alica Stuhlemmer want to head for new shores. The 2021 Olympic bronze medallists and 2024 Olympic eighth-placers are aiming for their own sporting futures.
On course for the 2028 Olympics: The first training camp is underway
Alica Stuhlemmer has already switched disciplines and is currently attending her first training camp as an iQFOiL windsurfer in Cadiz. "After eight intense years in the Nacra 17, two Olympic titles and a bronze medal, I'm starting a new chapter: I've already switched from the boat to the board and will continue my career in Olympic windsurfing," says the 25-year-old.
She looks back on her time at the Olympics with her cox Paul Kohlhoff with a great deal of gratitude and pride: "Paul and I managed to fulfil a lifelong dream together with the bronze medal in Tokyo. That will bind us together forever. We also have a great team by our side and I am incredibly grateful for every experience and every encounter with the people I was able to share this journey with."
Although the duo achieved another top ten result at the Olympic Games a few months ago with eighth place, the second Olympic medal remained out of reach in the heat of Marseille in predominantly very light winds. However, the separation of the successful duo is less to do with their Olympic placing than with the different development of their lives on the course to the future.
Experience sailing from a new perspective
Alica Stuhlemmer explains: "As in many areas of life, there were numerous reasons for this decision. Our paths outside of sport have developed in different directions. In a discipline where you spend more than 250 days a year together - and the majority of those abroad - it became increasingly difficult for us as a team to find the necessary foundation to successfully work towards Los Angeles 2028."
My Olympic dream is far from over." Alica Stuhlemmer
Alica Stuhlemmer is continuing her career solo and highly motivated on the foiling iQFOiL windsurfing board. Her first weeks of training in Kiel are already behind her. With initially borrowed equipment, Alica Stuhlemmer has been getting to grips with the new sport in her home waters right after the Olympic highlight of the year and gradually expanding her training programme. Experienced coaches have been impressed by her progress and have given positive feedback on her talent and development potential.
"My journey in competitive sport continues. I'm still passionate about sailing," says Alica Stuhlemmer, who is taking a radical step with her change of discipline "With the iQFOiL, I've chosen a single discipline that will challenge me in a completely new way - athletically, mentally and as a sailor. I will experience sailing from a different perspective and grow personally and athletically. I'm looking forward to that."
Accepting qualities required
At the same time, Alica Stuhlemmer is aware of the XL dimension of the new windsurfing challenge: "The demands on my body and the mental adjustment of now making decisions alone on the water are completely new to me." She has no illusions about the upcoming summit attempt: "I'm still at the beginning. I know that the road is long, that it's not always straight and that I'll have to prove that I can take things in my stride. Of course, the LA28 mission won't be easy, but that's also what makes it so exciting for me."
The new windsurfer's motto: "Be brave, face new challenges and grow with them." A decision on whether she will remain in the national team will be made by the end of the year. The former Nacra 17 foresailor is not lacking in training ambition. She is known in the German Sailing Team as one of the hardest workers. She has set herself the Spanish classic Trofeo Princesa Sofia as her first competition.
"This will be a test for me. It certainly won't be at the top for me straight away," says the athlete from the Kiel Yacht Club with a realistic view of her development opportunities. However, as a rather smaller athlete, she can also benefit in the coming years from the fact that the size of the Olympic windsurfing sail for women has been reduced from eight square metres to 7.3 square metres from the coming season and will then be better suited to her body weight.
With a tailwind from the German Sailing Team
Encouragement and support for Stuhlemmer's mission comes from the German Sailing Team. Sports Director Nadine Stegenwalner said: "Alica is an ambitious, hard-working and focussed athlete who enjoys taking on challenges. We have already accompanied her through two Olympic cycles in the Nacra with many strong successes and are excited to see what the LA 2028 cycle has in store for Alica on the board. We wish Alica every success with this exciting project."
Of course, the LA28 mission won't be an easy one, but that's also what makes it so appealing to me." Alica Stuhlemmer
The competitive athlete has no illusions about the upcoming summit attempt: "I'm still at the beginning. I know that the road is long, that it's not always straight and that I have to prove that I can take it."
After the Olympics: "Promising mission" wanted
Paul Kohlhoff is in a different life situation at the same time. The 29-year-old from the Kiel Yacht Club is initially focussing on the birth of his second child, which he is expecting with his partner Jana next March. His search for "a promising and promising mission on the water or on land" is still ongoing. "It's running at full speed. So far, however, without any promising results," says the experienced Olympic helmsman, who is currently focussing on family life.
Paul Kohlhoff looks back positively on his time together with Alica Stuhlemmer, but also says: "The time has come for us both to commit to new projects and leave the past behind us - always with the realisation that we have achieved great things together and will be forever grateful for the great commitment, sacrifices and achievements we have brought each other to."
Kohlhoff, who always had his sights set on a professional career in sailing, continued: "We are proud of what we have made of Kohlhoff Stuhlemmer Sailing since 2017!" He addresses his family, friends and long-term partners when he says: "Team Kohlhoff Stuhlemmer Sailing will always be an integral part of our lives, because you have shaped us and driven us and you have stood behind us - no matter what the situation. We are forever grateful to you for that."
