Germany SailGP - Sassnitz and a Breakthrough on Home Waters
From Penalty to Persistence
When you start a global championship in the red, you need more than boat speed to catch up. Germany’s penalty in Sydney not only dented their points tally, it hit morale. Driver Erik Kosegarten-Heil, balancing his career as an elite athlete with training as a doctor, suddenly found himself not just steering an F50 but steadying a crew under immense pressure.
“We’re not standing still – we are progressing,” Kosegarten-Heil reflects in the episode. “But the thing is, so is everyone else. We have to find smarter ways to get ahead.”
Those smarter ways came in the form of innovative training in Kiel, where coaches introduced a “mini SailGP” project. Smaller catamarans, tighter courses, sharper reflexes – a stripped-back way to drill the team into reacting faster, thinking cleaner, and building cohesion. The episode captures both the frustrations and the flashes of promise as Germany’s sailors grind through their learning curve.
Vettel’s Belief
No SailGP team has quite the star power of Germany, thanks to their co-owner Sebastian Vettel, the four-time Formula 1 World Champion. His presence looms large in the latest Racing on the Edge episode, offering a window into why he chose to invest in a sailing team rather than slip quietly into retirement.
“Maybe because there are a lot of values we share,” Vettel says of his bond with Kosegarten-Heil. “You realise there’s more to life than a sports bubble. Sailing allows identity beyond just results – it’s about the team, the journey.”
It’s a refreshing take from a man defined by podiums and titles in Formula 1. For Vettel, SailGP is about resilience, sustainability, and building something bigger than a trophy cabinet. And for Germany, having his steady hand in the background has been critical.
Sassnitz: Germany’s Home Waters
If there was ever a place to make a statement, it was Sassnitz, host of Germany’s first-ever Sail Grand Prix. The Baltic port was buzzing. Grandstands packed, flags flying, and an expectant crowd waiting to see if their underdog heroes could stand up to giants like Emirates Great Britain and ROCKWOOL Denmark.
And they did not disappoint.
Race one of the opening day delivered the fairy tale: Germany surged out of the blocks, going head-to-head with the British before seizing control and crossing the line first. The roar from the shoreline said it all – Germany SailGP had arrived.
Day two was even tougher. The Baltic Sea’s famously fickle winds shifted and swirled, but Germany stayed in the fight. Their boldest moment came with an audacious manoeuvre that nearly booked them a spot in their first-ever SailGP final. Only a late gust for France denied them. But by then the crowd didn’t care – they had seen enough to believe.
The Human Side of High-Speed Sailing
What makes Racing on the Edge such compelling viewing is not just the racing but the human drama. In Germany’s case, the documentary captures crisis meetings, tactical soul-searching, and the simple truth of athletes under pressure. It shows how Kosegarten-Heil, Vettel, and the crew built a culture of grit – from sweating through 35-knot training squalls to sweating in the media hot seat after setbacks.
Vettel sums it up with rare perspective:
“In sport, you’re always chasing a result – a win, a podium. But often the real experience is in the trying. In the journey, not just the end.”
Racing on the Edge: SailGP’s Window into the Sport
Since its launch in 2021, Racing on the Edge has become SailGP’s storytelling powerhouse. Produced in partnership with Rolex, it has now delivered more than 40 episodes and over 10 million viewers worldwide. For fans, it’s the ultimate backstage pass – access to raw emotion, tactical debates, and the grit behind the glamour of the fastest boats on water.
Germany’s episode stands out because it captures something rare: a team not yet at the top, but learning to fight, adapt, and dream. For SEO seekers, think SailGP docuseries, behind the scenes of SailGP, and Germany SailGP episode Racing on the Edge.
What’s Next: Saint-Tropez and Beyond
The spotlight now shifts to the ROCKWOOL France Sail Grand Prix in Saint-Tropez (12–13 September). Germany head there riding a surge of confidence, buoyed by their Sassnitz success but still hungry for more.
Meanwhile, leaders Biotherm (FRA) continue to set the benchmark, with Paprec Arkéa (FRA) and Holcim-PRB (SUI) in hot pursuit. Germany’s breakthrough means the battle for mid-fleet positions – and qualification for the season finale – is wide open.
ABOUT THE GERMANY SAILGP TEAM PRESENTED BY DEUTSCHE BANK
Founded: Season 4 (2024), SailGP
Driver: Erik Kosegarten-Heil, two-time Olympic medallist
Co-owners: Thomas Riedel and Sebastian Vettel, four-time Formula 1 World Champion
Partners: Deutsche Bank (co-title partner since 2025)
Base: Germany, with training in Kiel and events across the SailGP global circuit
The team continues to evolve, carrying the dual mission of competing at the sharp end of SailGP racing while showcasing German values of innovation, teamwork, and resilience.
Conclusion: Germany Find Their Spark
Sassnitz was more than a regatta stop – it was Germany’s coming-of-age moment in SailGP. From penalty-hit underdogs to crowd-pleasing contenders, they’ve proved that resilience and belief can rewrite a season. With Vettel in their corner, Kosegarten-Heil at the helm, and momentum finally on their side, the Germany SailGP Team is no longer just a story of promise – they’re a team to watch.