Professional sailor Roland Gäbler participated in the 1988 Olympics for the West German team, and between 1992-2004 for the re-unified Germany. His five consecutive appearances were in the multihull Tornado class. In 2000, he won a bronze medal with René Schwall. In 1988 he broke his hand during the regatta and finished only 19th, partnering Hans-Jürgen Pfohe. At World Championships, Gäbler won four gold medals (1996-97, 2000, 2010), four silver (1998, 2011, 2013, 2015), and three bronze medals(1999, 2012, 2014). In 2010, he won the world title with his wife Nahid. He also won 15 gold medals at European, and numerous medals at German Championships.
In 1995 and 1997 Gäbler was elected Sailor of the Year, and in 2001 became national chief coach for the Tornado and 49er classes. With the adventurer and balloonist Steve Fossett, he set a high-speed sailing world record on the 34m catamaran “Playstation”. Gäbler was awarded the Silver Bay Leaf twice, Germany’s highest sports award.
Germany 
West Germany