Takes Olympic silver after great drama: “Completely speechless”

The Swedes were the first to finish and had to wait a while before the announcement came. The Netherlands wins, Sweden second and France third.

We knew we were on the podium, but we didn’t know more than that. We let the others be nervous, says Vilma Bobeck.

Bobeck and Netzler’s position in the 49er FX class was very unclear as the top team Netherlands sailed away in the very last final stage and had to change course. Many thought they had sailed the wrong way and would be washed away, thus Sweden would be overtaken. But that was not the case.

We didn’t understand anything. We knew we were on the podium, but we didn’t know more than that, says Bobeck.

Hugging each other

They arrive at the interview zone a quarter of an hour later close together with a Swedish flag around their shoulders and start by hugging their coach, Victor Bergström, who trained them for three years.

My shoulders sank to the bottom of the sea. I think none of us really understood, says Rebecca Netzler about when she realized that the Olympic silver was ready.

The Swedes have lined up good positions and won medals in three consecutive WCs, but during the sailing in Marseille they have had a tougher start. They cried a tear when the placements didn’t come initially, says Netzler.

We know that the strength is within us. These are our favorite conditions and we are not letting this slip out of our hands.

Victor Bergström says it’s an incredible pick-up.

We had a pretty tough start to the week, that comeback from there is amazing.

“Happy for the Swedes”

Federation captain Magnus Grävare, who himself is a former Olympic sailor, says that the Swedish duo has the potential to dominate the sport.

They came here knowing they could win, or at least they or the Dutch, so it’s a relief and immense joy for them, he says.

The Netherlands with Odile van Aanholt and Annette Duetz, led through almost the entire race but it was at the last leeward, when the boats are going downwind, that something happened. They thought they had reached the finish line – in fact, they had some way to go. The Swedes sailed around and into the finish line first.

We were very worried, says van Aanholt.

They thought they had lost the medals completely.

There was a lot of confusion, but finally we got word from our coach and it was such a relief, says Annette Duetz.

They praise the Swedish couple and when asked if there can be champagne together tonight, they answer:

We are very happy for the Swedes. We have spent so much time together. I think we celebrate together.

Rebecca Netzler, on the right, and Vilma Bobeck after sailing the boat into Marseille.

Rebecca Netzler, on the right, and Vilma Bobeck after sailing the boat into Marseille.

Photo: Daniel Cole/AP/TT