It was not until after some confusion, following a dramatic medal race, that it became clear that the Swedish 49erFX duo had secured an Olympic Games silver in the waters off Marseille last summer.
But beforehand, it was mostly about avoiding the dreaded fourth place, the Swedes admit more than a year later.
Oh, yes, it's terrible. It was so tough to go into the last day, we were very, very afraid of fourth place, says Vilma Bobeck and gets agreement.
Yes, god, I had nightmares the night before the final, says Rebecca Netzler.
When all the boats had finished, it was clear that the duo had taken silver – a little behind the Netherlands, but ahead of both France and Norway.
It was the culmination of a short, but intense Swedish Olympic effort that began when none of the then crews had managed to qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
"A huge sorrow"
Vilma Bobeck had actually stopped sailing to study – but was persuaded by the former competitor to come back with a view to the Olympic Games 2024.
I had not sailed for over two years when Rebecca called. I was living a student life in Luleå and was feeling great, she says.
But deep down, I felt that I had more to give. And now I'm sitting here with an Olympic Games silver – but absolutely no degree.
After the Olympic medal – and previously a World Championship gold and double World Championship silver together – it is now Rebecca Netzler who chooses to stop with Olympic sailing.
The decision has evolved over a longer period.
It's a huge sorrow in a way. This is all I've done. But at the same time, I also know what it takes to be this good, she says.
It's also out of respect for Vilma. I know she has so much more to give, then she needs someone who can match that glow. And I don't feel that I am today.
Continuing to invest
It was already decided beforehand that the duo would take a longer break from "Dancing Queen", as the silver boat is called, this year. But now they have still met for a training session, outside the home club GKSS's premises in Långedrag, Gothenburg.
What happens in the future, neither Rebecca Netzler – who would still like to stay within sailing – nor Vilma Bobeck know.
Bobeck, however, is determined to continue investing with another partner, towards at least the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028.
At first, I didn't really know and thought "can I do it without Rebecca"? But I don't feel finished, she says.
I think I would regret it if I didn't give it a chance anyway. I'm driven a lot by the fact that I want to win an Olympic Games gold.
