CAPTAIN | 10
THE UNBREAKABLES
SAILING PASSION MADE IN GERMANY
A multi-generation pact leading to a dangerously strong team
This team truly deserves its label “Made in Germany” with all that involves: a strong machine able to knock over the 55 rivals on the water. A 100 percent German team from different generations comes together for the first time at the highest level to challenge the best national teams from all over the world for the SSL Gold Cup. Composed of the experienced and wise, current Olympic heroes, offshore warhorses and rising stars, this squad is a force to be reckoned with.
Don’t be fooled by the fact that you haven’t seen a German team in the America’s Cup or The Ocean Race for a while. There are many German powerhouses with an impressive number of outstanding achievements. Now they have come together to chase their joint dream: Besides golden Jochen Schümann there are top international pros like Markus Wieser, rockets like reigning Laser World Champion Philipp Buhl or the Olympic 49er bronze medal winners Erik Heil and Thomas Plößel and many more. For the SSL Gold Cup, they have formed a formidable team, whose alliance is composed to be unbreakable.
Statistics
THE COUNTRY
- > 5 million nautical passionates
- > 500.000 sailors
- > 1200 sailing and surf clubs
- > 300 sailing schools
- 2389 km of seacoast
ACHIEVEMENTS
- 3 Olympic Gold Medals
- 1 Olympic Silver Medal
- 1 Olympic Bronze Medal
- 2 wins in the America’s Cup
SSL Ranking
- SSL best ranked woman: LUISE WANSER
- SSL best ranked man: PHILIPP BUHL
- SSL nations ranking: 8
MAIN EVENTS
- Kieler Woche > 4000 participants (2019)
- Match Race Germany > 25.000 spectators
3+2
He ranks in the top three of the most successful Olympic sailors in history: Jochen Schümann won three Gold Medals, one silver and twice the America’s Cup.
The captain
Frithjof “Frida” Kleen
He discovered his love for the sport on Berlin’s famous Wannsee. He came sixth at the 2012 Olympics and collected a golden star for winning the 2014 Star World Championships. A European Champion in the Dragon and a World Champion in the Swan 45, Kleen’s strengths include an exemplary fighting spirit, motivational talent and a famous sense of humor. Someone once said “Frida” moves on a boat like an elf with the power of a heavyweight boxer. He will use all of his superpower to push Team Germany into the SSL Gold Cup.
THE LEADERS
PHILIPP BUHL
Man from the mountains, model athlete and a highly popular fair player: Philipp Buhl (30) is Germany’s most successful Laser helmsman of all times. He won four medals (1 Gold, 1 Silver, two Bronze) at World Championships and can’t wait to fight for his Olympic medal. He will be one of the aces up the German team’s sleeves in the SSL Gold Cup.
ERIK HEIL
How to win two 49er World Championship medals within two months and almost dethrone the Olympic Champion, America’s Cup Defender and SSL Ranking’s leader Peter Burling? 49er helmsman Erik Heil (30) from Berlin can tell you all about it. The 2016 Olympic Bronze medalist, together with his crew Thomas Plößel is going to help propel Team Germany to success.
JOCHEN SCHUMANN
Three Olympic Gold medals, two America’s Cup victories and a duffel bag full of World titles speak for themselves: Jochen Schümann (66) is the German authority for victories under sails. His experience of more than half a century will weigh heavily in the battle for the SSL Gold Cup. He never aims at less than winning and certainly ranks amongst sailing’s greats.
THE YOUTH FACTOR
Germany’s next sailing generation has left the starting blocks: Talents like the Hamburg based young guns Silas Mühle (18) and Magnus Simon (24) as well as Kiel’s Nacra 17 helmsman Paul Kohlhoff, who at the age of 21 was one the youngest Olympic competitors under Rio’s Sugarloaf Mountain, are about to make a name for themselves internationally. Expect them to give their everything to strengthen Team Germany.
Confirmed Athletes
Potential Team Position
|
1
BOW
Fabian Rieger
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2
MID-BOW
|
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3
PIT
Michael Müller
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4
GRINDER
|
|
5
TRIMMER
Matti Paschen
|
6
TRIMMER
Alica Stuhlemmer
|
|
7
MAIN TRIMMER
|
8
HELM
Philip Buhl
|
|
9
TACTICIAN
Markus Wieser
|
10
CAPTAIN
Frithjof Kleen
|
|
11
FLOATER
|
|
1
BOW
Fabian Rieger
|
|
2
MID-BOW
|
|
3
PIT
Michael Müller
|
|
4
GRINDER
|
|
5
TRIMMER
Matti Paschen
|
|
6
TRIMMER
Alica Stuhlemmer
|
|
7
MAIN TRIMMER
|
|
8
HELM
Philip Buhl
|
|
9
TACTICIAN
Markus Wieser
|
|
10
CAPTAIN
Frithjof Kleen
|
|
11
FLOATER
|
SQUAD
| Frithjof Kleen | Markus Wieser |
| Jochen Schümann | Erik Heil |
| Philip Buhl | Michael Müller |
| Tina Lutz | Thomas Ploessel |
| Nick Beulke | Paul Kohlhoff |
| Alica Stuhlemmer | Linov Scheel |
| Fabian Rieger | Matti Paschen |
| Mark Pickel |