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Illness forces Roland Gaebler to step ashore for Extreme Sailing Series Kiel

  • 25th August 2010

Roland Gäbler took the tough decision today to step off the Wirsol Team Germany Extreme 40 entered into this weekend’s Extreme Sailing Series Kiel as he recovers from a severe throat infection. Gaebler, the 2010 Tornado World Champion and Olympic Bronze Medallist will remain as coach and mentor for the young German crew.

Tino Mittelmeier, the youngest helm in the fleet for this Kiel event at just 26, will step up to skipper the team, as well as continue as helmsman.

Gaebler, who was struck down by a heavy sore throat 12 days ago, isn’t the only member of Wirsol Team Germany in the wars. Bowman Gunnar Struckman was injured in training on Monday with a ruptured ligament and has also had to step off the boat.

Tino Mittelmeier commented on the double calamity for the team: “We have had to close ranks and we’ll give everything we’ve got to the event this weekend. We’ll have the Kiel crowd behind us and we’ll do our very best.”

Mittelmeier will be accompanied by his brother Niko, who will be the Tactician and two new crew members will step up to the mark: Star sailor Benjamin Wenk will be the Bowman and three times National Hobie Cat Champion Michael Walther will join as Trimmer. Onshore the crew is supported by A-Cat World Champion Nils Bunkenburg and Jork Homeyer.

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