There is no championship that Karl Schulze could not win in the last few years in the quad scull. He became World and European Champion and won the gold medal at the last two Olympics. For his great dream of winning the triple gold Karl relocated from Berlin to Hamburg in 2018 together with his partner Marie-Christin Jonekeit and his daughter Leni. In the meantime, the young family has even grown to four, as baby Lea was born last year.
After the selection process last year, “King Karl” was again permanently placed in the bow of the quad scull. Despite the successful Olympic qualification, the World Championships in Linz was a huge disappointment for the rower who is used to succeed. But his dream of a triple continues: Due to his enormously strong erg and strength performances, Karl will remain seated in the quad in the new season, but this time in the two-seat position. Will Karl manage the balance between family life and the hard-everyday life of a competitive athlete? Can he win his 3rd gold medal in Tokyo and write rowing history?
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Professional sport means above all renouncement. Timo Piontek, for whom last year was anything but easy, knows that too. At the World Championships in Linz everything goes well for him and the quad – until the final race.
In the infamous erg test, athletes have to go beyond their limits. Only those who invest everything have a chance of achieving the ambitious norm. While some athletes impress with personal bests and strong training performances, someone needs to talk to the head coach privately.
Finally, the quad forms a solid unit. The two youngsters Max Appel & TOle Naske and the experienced Olympic champions Hans Gruhne and Karl Schulze are ready for the World Cup season, but in the middle of the euphoria they are torn from their dreams.
After an eight-week break from training, the team is finally allowed to go back on the water. U23 world champion Marc Weber, in particular, is eager to return and has big plans. Meanwhile, an old friend is back on the team.