Goltoft an der Schlei, with a population of just over 200, is a tranquil place and not exactly famous for lavish parties. Whenever a big party is organised here in rural seclusion, it usually has something to do with the village's most famous son. And today, Wilfried Erdmann has every reason to celebrate - Germany's great sailing pioneer is 80 years old.
However, a proper ovation is out of the question in times of the pandemic, so Erdmann will spend his day of honour in a small circle. That may even be fine with the man who doesn't appreciate a lot of fuss about himself. "I'm used to it," he says. "When there was something big to celebrate, I was usually alone anyway."
He earned his great merits as a single-handed sailor: the first German to sail solo around the world, the only one to circumnavigate the globe non-stop, twice, with the prevailing winds and against them - sporting feats that are unrivalled in this country and extremely rare worldwide.
There were also occasions to celebrate on these incredible journeys, namely reaching partial destinations such as the passages of the great capes. And even at such important waypoints, there was no one around with whom Erdmann could share and savour the moment - he always liked the solitude of single-handed sailing.
Wilfried Erdmann was born 80 years ago today in Scharnikau, now Czarnków in north-west Poland. He became interested in extreme travelling at an early age and travelled to India by bicycle at the age of 18. It was on this trip that he first came into contact with sailing, which became the theme of his life.
In 1965, he bought his first "Kathena" in Alicante, Spain, an aged wooden sloop just 7.62 metres long, and sailed around the world alone in 1967 and 1968. At the time, this was unimaginable in this country, so he was initially not believed on his return.
He then married and sailed round the world again with his wife Astrid from 1969 to 1972. This was followed four years later by a long voyage through the Pacific South Seas, this time with his wife and their young son Kym.
Then, in 1984/85, the first non-stop circumnavigation of the world with the self-built aluminium sloop "Kathena nui" - another first for German sailors. The same applies to the crowning achievement of his career, the non-stop circumnavigation against the wind, which ended in Cuxhaven in 2001 after 343 days and 32,000 nautical miles.
Erdmann wrote captivating books about all his voyages, which received numerous awards and sometimes even made the bestseller lists for a long time. Another work was planned for his 80th birthday, a lavishly produced biographical illustrated book. But Erdmann will also have to do without this present on his birthday today, as its publication has been postponed due to the pandemic. "Ich bin auf See - Mein Bild vom Segeln" with numerous previously unpublished photos will probably not be released until the boot trade fair at the beginning of next year.
If he has to miss out on the big party and the book, what else does he want? "I'm in good health and I hope it stays that way," he says. "And, of course, that I can sail with Astrid again as soon as possible this year."
