Know the Sailors: Markus Koy

Markus Koy, Germany. Highest SSL Ranking: 4

Markus has won the Star European Championship in 2010 & 2014 and was South American Champion in 2015. Markus has also worked on several projects for the German Sailing Team, most recently the Youth America’s Cup for which he was a coach and Dragon and GC32 development projects. Markus works for North Sails. As part of this job, he has sailed several design class including Dragons, Stars and J70s, and managed J70 clinics. In the Dragon and Star Class Markus has represented Germany winning four European titles and ten national titles. Markus will be racing with J
ohannes Polgar at the SSL Finals in Nassau, it will be the third time the German pair have been competing

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SSL: If you weren’t a sportsperson, what would you be?

MK: I would be a engineer, which I studied. I am very interested in anything mechanical.

SSL: What is the greatest sacrifice you have had to make in order to achieve success?

MK: Leaving my family for so many days at home, missing watching my daughters grow up.

SSL: What animal fascinates you and why?

MK: I love dogs but they are kind of predictable, cats are more fascinating, having their own way of living.

SSL: What kind of a person makes you angry?

MK: Liars and people who have no respect.

SSL: What kind of person makes you happy?

MK: People who are interested, who asks questions instead of waiting only for questions about them. People with a positive attitude.

SSL: What was is your favourite memory from another sport?

MK: Michael Schumacher winning seven world titles, he was such a perfectionist.

SSL: What song, book, film or poem inspires you?

MK: Song: Foo Fighters, Everlong. Just a very good Song, with lots of emotions.

Film: Absolute Giganten, German low budget film which hast the right attitude. Alternatively: Victoria, a great effort by the actors, it is a one take movie, which lasts 2 hours.

Book: Albert Camus, The First Man or The Travelling Diaries. My favourite writer.

SSL: Is there any specific technique you use when competing to help motivate yourself ?

MK: Analysing myself and try to learn from mistakes. If you stop improving, you are not good any more.

SSL: If you could invite people through history for dinner, who would you choose?

MK: Ernest Hemingway, Paul Satre, Albert Camus and Andy Warhol.

SSL: How many Gold Medals or World Championships is ‘enough’?

MK: As long as the body is committed, I will go for it.

SSL: A child asks you if Santa Claus is real, what do you say?

MK: Well depends on the age, but I would try to convince the child that he is real. He can be a great authority for kids.

SSL: If you could have a super hero special power what would it be?

MK: Flying would be kind handy!

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 1-6 December 2015 – The third edition of the SSL Finals will take place in Nassau, Bahamas

 All SSL events use a qualifying competition followed by a knock-out system. Teams take part in the qualifying rounds, which is a series of races over three days. The top 11 teams progress to the knock-out stage, which has four stages. In one-off races teams are eliminated, until just four teams remain to contest the final. The winner takes home a big slice of the $200,000 Prize Purse.

Watch all the action live from the Star Sailors League Final. With expert commentary from special studio guests. On the water, the latest in hi-tech camera technology, as well as Virtual Eye 3D Graphics, will provide thrilling viewing. Armchair sailors can also join the race with Virtual Regatta.