In this event, between 1975 and 1988 he won five world titles[1] and three Olympic silver medals, in 1976, 1984, and 1988; he missed the 1980 Games because of their boycott by West Germany.

West Germany boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics to protest the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan.

Kolbe left the single scull and rowed in the West German national eight (8+), which raced in several European events.

In 1982, Kolbe moved to Oslo to be with his Norwegian wife, a journalist whom he met at the 1975 World Championships.

In the last 150 meters of the race, Karppinen caught an exhausted Kolbe and went on to win his third gold medal.

In both the 1976 and 1984 Olympics, Karppinen and Kolbe separated themselves from the pack turning a multi-boat race into a two boat match.