Together with Martin Zeileis (midperson) and Patrick Wichmann (foredeck), Haist won, as helmsman, second place during the 2012 European Soling Championship.

[4] Karl Haist has a long and impressive sailing career as helmsman since the mid 50's of the 20th century in the Flying Dutchman[5] and Soling.

Karl holds several national Soling titles in Austria, Germany[6] and Hungary and celebrated many victories in European regatta's like the Omega Cup (GER),[7] Erich Hirt Pokal (GER), Alpen Cup[8] and the Trofeo Dino Schiesaro (ITA).

[11] Karl Haist had two major objectives for his presidency: First he wanted a large Soling event in Eastern Europe.

The second objective, bringing the operational cost of the Soling down by reducing the number of sails during a championship, took more time.