Tatjana Pokorny
· 18.06.2023
I just stay at home a little longer in the morning when I see AP above the number pennants two or three in Schilksee. It takes me about 20 minutes by bike to get to the Olympic Centre. Then I come here completely relaxed and spend a bit of time at the German Sailing Association, where many others from the German Sailing Team are. If a race day is completely cancelled, I go to the gym.
Pretty good, I think. Many are currently doing a training camp in Marseille, then travelling home again and then back to Marseille for the Olympic test event. That explains why some are missing. But there are even a few more international starters than last year. We even have two in the iQ who have travelled from Asia. Korea and Japan are at the start, one of them is from my training group. These are drivers who will also be competing in the Olympic test regatta. We are continuing to build up our field at Kieler Woche and are on the right track. If we keep pushing over the next few years, it will get better.
You notice that everyone is looking: What is he doing?" Sebastian Kördel
At iQFoil, we have a special medal race. It's all about who wins in just one race. That person then wins the event, regardless of the previous results. The only thing you take away from the whole week is that the winner goes straight through to the final and the second and third are seeded for the semi-final. That's the bonus for the week's performance. But with three people in the final, everything is open again in the battle for the medals. I was a bit unlucky last year that I got a bit of seaweed and couldn't defend my first place from the week. That's the game, that's the rules.
I've been trying to become world champion for a while now. Because I've been a professional windsurfer for a long time. I always imagined it would be a bit more extreme. You always think that when you become world champion, everything is rosy. It's not quite like that. Of course, it's an incredible feeling when you've made it. But being reigning world champion is first and foremost a lot of pressure. You just realise that everyone is watching: What is he doing? A lot is expected of you. But first place is the best position for the future. That's why I'm very happy about it.
Definitely. It will be the same people I raced against at the World Championships. A few less, because only one starter per country is allowed at the Olympics. Which is basically a good thing (laughs). At the moment there are four or five people who make up the absolute world elite in the iQ. Sometimes one is faster, sometimes the other. Then we see who gets their best week together and who comes out on top in the medal race.
No matter what happens. I can drive well." Sebastian Kördel
We practised almost everything during the winter. I can say quite confidently that I can be at the front in all conditions. Of course, it always depends on something else. If there's a lot of wind and waves and a current, then it always depends on how you're set up on the day. And whether you can deliver your performance. A day like that depends on your form. In easier conditions, it simply depends on whether you have set up your equipment well and have the basic speed. But to be honest: no matter what happens, I can ride well.
The decision for the Olympics is currently being made. We had another extraordinary class meeting on Wednesday to decide what exactly will happen with the equipment at the Olympics. Our favoured option is that we receive the equipment relatively far in advance of the Olympic Games and then select the equipment from the pool for each qualified rider to ride at the Olympic Games. There are other proposals on the table, but there will definitely be equipment provided. So you can't bring your own equipment. Of course, we hope that we get this equipment as early as possible so that the rider can't just be unlucky and get bad equipment, but that everyone can choose from the pool and everyone is on a more or less equal footing afterwards.
No, I was only allowed to hold it in my hands on stage and lift it up, but not take it with me. But you do get a picture of it.
Yes, it also has its advantages (grins).
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