Germany reshapes team line-up as performance ambitions remain high

The German team has made a series of strategic changes ahead of the 2027 Season after falling short of their performance ambitions this season.

The raft of changes promote new talent while retaining their established core team, restructure their coaching operation and invest in a development pathway to fast-track athletes to the F50.

The changes were sparked by at the team's disappointing on-water performance this season. "We're currently tenth, whereas we wanted to be sixth. It's also unlikely that we'll finish the season where we had hoped to be," said team managing director Tim Kriegelstein.

Despite this, he underlined the significant progress made by the team across their three seasons, specifically highlighting the team gaining 71 places in fleet racing this season. "Of course, that means we also started quite far back, but we can sail the boat, we're fast, and we're competitive towards the front - we've built a great team."

Boat handling and speed are now considered competitive, while the team's greatest weakness is starting performance. The changes are designed to address areas of weakness without sacrificing the established foundation of the team - 'we don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater,' said Kriegelstein.

The core of the athlete squad remains the same, with driver Erik Kosegarten-Heil, wing trimmer Kevin Peponnet and flight controller James Wierzbowski remaining in position, alongside grinders Will Tiller and Linov Schneel.

Strategist Anna Barth's decision to prioritize her Olympic campaign for Los Angeles 2028 will see her take on a remote support role, while Victoria Schultheis moves into the lead strategist role.

Meanwhile, as national development becomes a key focus, the team have recruited German athletes Richard Schultheis and Julian Hoffmann, both of who are currently training with the team in Pensacola.

The plan is for Hoffmann to be 'established as a reserve driver' with the potential to become a future driver, according to director of sport Lennart Briesenick, while Schultheis will 'focus on the grinder and flight controller roles'.

Tom Burton, previously assistant coach for the Red Bull Italy team, has stepped up into the role of head coach for the German team. The recruitment of Schultheis and Hoffmann underlines the team's commitment to increasing squad depth, he said.

"We need reserves, we need alternatives and we'll need backups - that's simply part of every sport."

Looking ahead, the team are eyeing the last two events of the season - Dubai and Abu Dhabi - as opportunities to improve their water performance. Improving starting performance is the priority, particularly in the fickle winds of the UAE.

"The start is a combination of many different aspects and positions, and we're trying to get the very best out of that process so we can already see the benefits of this training at the next event," said driver Kosegarten-Heil.

Out in Pensacola, the team have been training in 'conditions comparable' to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, offering ideal conditions in which to target the starts.

"We'll spend a little more time together in the starting box to improve our coordination, so we can give ourselves the best possible preparation for the two events in the Emirates."

Racing resumes at the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix. Get your tickets or find out how to watch from wherever you are in the world.

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