Vice world champion in sailing: Diesch and Markfort celebrate historical triumph!
Vice world champion in sailing: Diesch and Markfort celebrate historical triumph!
A great success for the sailing community in Germany: Simon Diesch and Anna Markfort secured the silver medal at the 470 mixed world championship in Gdynia. After an exciting medal race, however, they just had to give up the Spanish defending champion Jordi Xammar Hernàndez and Marta Cardona Alcántara. The duo finished 48 points, but had to give the lead at the moment of the decision because the Spaniards reached the better placement in the final, while the Germans and Spaniards went over the line as fifth and fourth. The emotions were very visible during the finish at Markfort when she spoke of tears of joy and melancholy, because the title is the greatest success of her young career. Diesch and Markfort started their journey together in 2022, but the past Olympic Games in Marseille, where they took 14th place, remained behind their expectations.
However,Markfort stated that her next goal, the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, is already in view to achieve a better placement there. In Gdynia they were in a very strong shape, which the team can support across age. WM bronze went to the British Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris. There is reason to hope that the German sailing heroes will also cause a stir with this performance in the upcoming competitions.
silver at the European Championship
In the subsequent Medal Race, which they were able to contest as a second place due to a solid final, they were only one point behind the Swedish defending champions Anton Dahlberg and Lovisa Karlsson. This performance was not only remarkable, but also demonstrated the strength of the team in strong wind with over 14 knots. Even if other German teams were not represented, Diesch and Markfort showed that they belong to the top of the world in sailing.
The Olympic Games 2024 and other challenges
For the 2024 sailing season, there are further challenges on the plan, because the regattas in Paris, which ensure the nation ticket for the Olympic Games, are closer. A total of 252 athletes will start at the 2024 Nations Olympics. Germany will also be represented with 14 sailors. This and Markfort are determined to secure the best cards for successful participation, and are already planning a ten-day sail break, followed by a medical check and training at the Olympic area before Marseille.
WYC President Oswald Frevogel is proud of the team, which enriches domestic sailing through their success. "The nation ticket is an important step for our athletes," he emphasizes. With the jump to fifth place in the world rankings, this and Markfort have confirmed their status. The upcoming competitions could be crucial for whether they will follow in the footsteps of the big sailing heroes.
The next highlights are already at the door: in August the World Cup in the Netherlands will follow for which the team wants to prepare sufficiently. The sailing community can therefore look forward to the upcoming achievements of Diesch and Markfort.
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| Ort | Gdynia, Polen |
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