Known as The Unbreakables, SSL Team Germany will enter the SSL Gold Cup 2026 directly in the Quarterfinals, bringing together Olympic experience, world champions and a team hungry to go further than in the inaugural edition.
Germany finished 13th in the first edition of the SSL Gold Cup in Gran Canaria. Now, under the leadership of experienced Star sailor Frithjof Kleen, The Unbreakables return to the competition with a clear opportunity to make their mark on the world stage.
Kleen, born in 1983, brings a wealth of experience to the team. An Olympian at London 2012, he is a two-time Star World Champion, having claimed the title in 2014 and 2025. He also won the SSL Finals in 2017, making him a familiar name in the Star Sailors League community. His experience at the highest level will be an important asset as Germany prepares for the challenges ahead in Rio.
The German line-up combines established champions with a new generation of international talent. Among them is Simon Diesch, an Olympic sailor in the 470 Mixed class who represented Germany at Paris 2024 alongside Anna Markfort. The pair finished 14th at the Games before going on to win silver at the 2025 World Championships, adding another major achievement to Diesch’s career.
Youth and experience also come together in the 49er class through Richard Schultheis and Fabian Rieger. Schultheis, born in 2005 and raised in Malta, became Junior World Champion in 2024. Sailing together since 2025, the duo have already demonstrated their potential on the international stage, winning the San Pedro Olympic Classes Regatta in 2026 at the venue set to host the sailing events of Los Angeles 2028. Rieger brings valuable experience to the partnership, having won bronze at the 2018 World Championships and the European title in 2020.
Another major name in the German squad is Markus Wieser, one of the country's most experienced sailors in keelboat racing. In 2025, he claimed the World Championship title in the International 6 Metre class, adding further international success to his impressive career.
Starting directly in the Quarterfinals, Germany will have the advantage of entering the competition at a decisive stage, with every race carrying significant weight. For now, the team knows only one of its potential opponents in the group: the United States. The remaining challenges will become clearer as the competition unfolds.
With The Unbreakables bringing together Olympic sailors, world champions and proven SSL experience, Germany arrives in Rio ready to turn its pedigree into results. Their target is clear: go beyond 13th place and fight for a place among the best national sailing teams in the world.
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