Childhood dream fulfilled

Olympic sailor is at home on the world’s oceans

Lukas Haberl, a Salzburger by choice, sails in the boat with Tanja Frank under the five rings. Preparations are in full swing. The second training block before Marseille awaits.

For the second of a total of four training blocks, Lukas Haberl is heading back to the sailing area off Marseille today. Where the Tyrolean-born sailor and his foresailor Tanja Frank (Union Yacht Club Neusiedlersee) will continue to fine-tune the Nacra 17 for the Olympic Games.

 "So far, the focus has been on material tests, but we're already pretty far along," says the 24-year-old, who is looking forward to racing. However, the helmsman also knows that big tests await: "It's difficult to adjust. During the test regattas, the wind came from all sides in turn."

While 31-year-old Frank, the 2016 Olympic bronze medallist in Rio, will be attacking under the five rings for the third time in the modified Nacra 17 after a detour in the 49erFX, Haberl is fulfilling a childhood dream with his premiere: "Since 2008, when I first consciously watched the Olympics on TV, I knew that I wanted to be there one day."

Haberl put many other things in his life on the back burner for this, benefiting from the advantages of being a student of the Salzburg School Sports Model (SSM) and finding his sailing home at UYC Mondsee. He also highlights the two-time Olympic champions in the Nacra 17 predecessor class Tornado Roman Hagara and Hans-Peter Steinacher as important mentors.

Having grown up in Vöcklabruck, the athlete has had an apartment in Salzburg for four years, where he has his main residence. "I spend six days a month there," says the Olympic starter, who has also become a Salzburg resident by choice. Or is he an Upper Austrian? "I can't say what I am." One thing is certain: at home on the world's oceans. On which he also indulges in his hobby of wingfoiling. The equipment is always with him.