A high-profile visit to Louisenlund: Olympic silver medalist Susann "Sanni" Beucke was a guest at the boarding school to talk to pupils, parents and guests from sailing clubs in the region about her extraordinary sailing career. She not only had her Olympic silver medal in her luggage, but also exciting insights into her current offshore projects - including her planned participation in the world's toughest single-handed regatta, the Vendée Globe 2028.
Her presentation focused on her experiences as a top athlete in the 49erFX skiff, her successes at the European Championships and the 2021 Olympic highlight in Tokyo, when she won silver for Germany together with Tina Lutz.
Susann Beucke had already tried to qualify for the Olympic Games in 2012 and 2016, but failed both times by the narrowest of margins. Nevertheless, she didn't give up and did everything she could to compete for Germany with her partner Tina Lutz - with success.
However, winning the silver medal was not to be the last major goal for the then 40-year-old. In 2023, Beucke was part of the Holcim - PRB team in the prestigious The Ocean Race. The team won both the first and second leg of the race, further proving Beucke's offshore sailing skills. What she already realized at the time: "Offshore sailing is a male domain". With her campaign "This race is female", Beucke is also actively campaigning for the promotion of women in sailing.
She has set herself the goal of taking part in the Vendée Globe in 2028. The route covers around 24,300 nautical miles and passes the three legendary capes: Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin and Cape Horn. This would make Susann Beucke the first woman to take part in this ultimate race. What excites her about it? "The race is a very special challenge, a lot of things can't be planned, it's a competition between you and nature."
In 2020, Boris Herrmann was the first German to take part in the prestigious solo round-the-world race. The professional sailor was particularly impressed by the "plus sailing" talent program in Louisenlund. "I am thrilled with the opportunities young people have here to get to know sailing at the highest level and live out their passion," said Beucke. The program in Louisenlund offers ambitious students ideal conditions for further sporting development - with access to professional coaches, modern equipment and proximity to the water right on campus
