The Kiel Week sailing event
Philipp Buhl is Germany’s Sailor of the Year and one of the top stars of the Kiel Week.
Answering the question about his favourite landscape – “Mountains or sea?” – is not so easy for Philipp Buhl. Germany’s top Olympic Laser Class sailor was born in 1989 in Immenstadt, Bavaria – in sight of the Allgäu Alps. Although his hobbies include skiing and mountain climbing, he has celebrated his greatest successes at sailing. The number three in the world ranking, 2012 European Champion and two times World Cup Champion is one of the greatest German hopes for the 2016 Olympic Games. His fascination with the sport and the water began at a very early age: “I was still in nappies when my father took me on board as third man during a sailing trip around Lake Garda,” reports Philipp Buhl. “A few years later, I was allowed at the helm and he taught me how you steer a boat.”
Taking part in the world’s largest sailing event
Alongside national trainer Thomas Piesker, Buhl’s father still advises his successful son. “I’m still learning from him even today,” emphasises the career soldier, who will be competing with his laser during Kiel Week, the world’s largest sailing event, in June. The laser is the best known and most popular racing dinghy, the world’s most common sailing boat. In addition to leading dinghy sailors, numerous “big boats” will also be appearing at the traditional German sailing event. From huge navel vessels to the high-speed Musto Performance Skiff, boats of practically all sizes and classes take part. More than 2,000 boats and ships are expected to participate in the races and parades in Kiel Fjord. The climax is the traditional Windjammer Parade with roughly 100 large, traditional sailing ships, which are watched by over 100,000 people every year. Of course, Philipp Buhl will be defending his title in Kiel, where he now lives. However, his favourite place is further south and offers both mountains and water: “Most of all, I like sailing on Lake Garda – for a change, my face doesn’t get splashed with saltwater.”
Kiel Week from 21 to 29 June 2014
