On the Friday before Pentecost, on May 9th, Erdmann concluded the series of lectures in Schleswig about his great sailing feat. It is time to "draw a line", explains the 68-year-old: "I hope for many of my fans."
Erdmann sailed around the world in 343 days against the prevailing wind direction in his 10.60 meter long, motorless aluminum sloop "Kathennui" between August 2000 and July 2001 - one-handed and non-stop. Only four other people had done that before.
The date of his farewell lecture is well chosen - exactly 40 years earlier Erdmann had performed his first hussar piece. He was again the first German to sail all around alone with the wind. On the occasion of this anniversary, the YACHT is reviewing the almost unbelievable history of this adventure with the only 7.61 meter long first "Kathena" in issue 11/08. The issue with this great piece of sailing history will hit the kiosk on May 14th.
In the meantime, in 1984/85, Erdmann was once again the first German to manage a one-handed circumnavigation without stopping, at that time with the wind, i.e. from west to east.
After these three first performances and about 500 lectures, the circle is now complete. As part of the state horticultural show in Schleswig, the sympathetic-humble hero from Goltoft tells for the last time about his unbelievable last big trip. The event begins at 8 p.m. in the festival pavilion at the city harbor.
Tickets are available in advance from the Schröder bookstore, Stadtweg 27 (Passage) in 24837 Schleswig, phone 04621/222 02.
www.wilfried-erdmann.de