After the Olympic Games silver in France last year, Vilma Bobeck had to find a new partner after Rebecca Netzler announced that she would quit some time ago.
Recently, it became clear that Bobeck's endeavor will continue with Ebba Berntsson in the 49er FX class. It was a direct success. Although two sailings remain on Sunday, the Swedes will leave the World Championship on Sardinia with at least a bronze medal.
"Time to digest"
"It's still something a little extra special with this medal, considering how little time we've had together and how we've handled the whole week. It says so much about our potential", says Vilma Bobeck in a press release from the Swedish Sailing Federation.
"It feels super fun with a medal. I will need some time to digest that it has gone so well", says Ebba Berntsson.
A new World Championship format applies this year. Sunday begins with a race for the top 20 and thereafter a pure gold final for the top four awaits. It's a short race of only ten minutes and the winner there takes home the World Championship gold - regardless of how it's gone in the other sailings during the week.
To determine the other medalists, one goes back to the standings after Sunday's first race, but already before the conclusion, it's clear that Bobeck/Berntsson can't finish worse than third. This also means that the duo is already now clear for the final gold final.
"Best starting position"
"The new format is tricky, but so it is for everyone. We have the best starting position in the entire field and we can take advantage of that. Then we have the perfect position to bet everything on gold", says Vilma Bobeck.
In Nacra, Emil Järudd and Hanna Jonsson are fifth before Sunday. The Swedes have only four points up to a podium position and 13 points to first place.
