The radiance of his triumph endures to this day. As a five-time Olympic participant, four-time world champion and three-time European champion, the Berliner with the memorable name is one of the most successful sailors in German history. He celebrated his greatest success in 1964 off Enoshima.
Kuhweide made Sagami Bay his arena under dramatic circumstances when Germany competed with a mixed team of FRG and GDR athletes. In the Finn dinghy, in the shadow of the Cold War, there was a fiercely contested elimination series and serious clashes between the two sailing associations even before the Games. Kuhweide won this and the competition.
Kuhweide remained faithful to regatta racing until 1986. Before that, he won another Olympic medal with Karsten Meyer: bronze in 1972 in the Star boat. On the occasion of the anniversary regatta, which starts this week off Kiel we spoke to the exceptional sailor. As a Lufthansa pilot instructor, Kuhweide moved to the USA, where the now 79-year-old has lived ever since, in the state of Arizona. He continues to follow the Olympic events with great interest from afar.
YACHT: Willy, you won't be taking part in the 50th anniversary Olympic regatta off Kiel this year. Why is that?
Willy Kuhweide: No, regatta sailing is history for me. I have politely cancelled a few requests. For me, however, it's not just 50 years of the Olympics, but also 100 years of the Starboat World Championships. I had the honour of becoming world champion at the 50th in 1972, the year of the Olympics.
With this title, you were the first in the Olympic period of the Starboat World Championship history between 1923 and 2012 and, alongside Alex Hagen (1981, 1997), one of only two German helmsmen to win World Championship gold. How do you remember the Starboat?
As a super boat class, very demanding even without a spinnaker, as it is basically totally over-rigged. For the helmsman, the requirements are almost comparable to those of a Finn dinghy, but with sensitive, demanding trimming of the backstays.
Did these technical challenges appeal to you?
In all those years, there were still quite detailed discussions between the opponents. It was all about fine-tuning the sails, as every centimetre and every millimetre makes a difference. I was one of those who argued that even the smallest differences had a big impact. A new term was created: Not centimetres, not millimetres, but "willimetres" make the difference.
The differences that decided the medal positions in the star boat at the 1972 Olympic regatta were also minimal. An unfortunate race shattered your gold dream back then ...
That's right. In the sixth of seven races, the Brazilians Jörg Bruder and Jan Aten were leading as they rounded the last buoy. We were second and only had the finishing cross ahead of us. The Australians David Forbes and John Anderson went round in seventh place. Pelle Petterson and Stellan Westerdahl were also behind. Then the wind completely died for me and my brother for almost half an hour. The Australians kept some wind, circled us in a huge arc and came first. We came fourth. I was angry with the race committee. The race should have been cancelled. The loss of points in the direct comparison meant the loss of the very likely gold medal for Karsten and me.
There was nothing more to be done in the final race?
Theoretically there was only a tie on points, but that wouldn't have been enough for gold because of the number of better places for the Australians. I took it in my stride. Pelle managed to secure fifth place, which earned him the silver medal, 0.4 points ahead of us. C'est la vie.
You have taken part in a total of five Olympic Games. Does it make a difference to compete elsewhere or on your home turf?
That was a very special feeling in Kiel back then! After all, I was a real Kieler for a few years after 1964. My then wife Angelika and I had a cute little flat in Kiel-Pries. Our daughter Corinna was born there in 1965. The Kiel Fjord was my home and I always felt very much at home there. Circumstances had even led to us agreeing to take on the role of carnival prince and princess. That was something completely different, albeit very strenuous.
How do you remember the atmosphere in the newly built Olympic Centre?
It was by far the best atmosphere in the harbour and the surrounding area that I have ever experienced at an Olympic Games. Up until the attack in Munich, everything was unrivalled. Even Los Angeles 1984 couldn't compete with that.
How did the news of the terrorist attack reach you?
They came to Schilksee via telex, telephone and television. The great atmosphere was immediately a thing of the past. We all thought that the games would be cancelled and were very helpless in the face of the situation. When the decision was made on the third day that the games would continue "now more than ever", the participants breathed a sigh of relief. This was quickly recognised as the right decision.
Did the shock and grief affect your performance?
The effects were rather minor. Once you were out of the harbour, your trained ability to concentrate took over again.
Do you remember any special people at Olympia 72 in Kiel who inspired you?
I had strong feelings and thoughts for Bruno Splieth (editor: regatta veteran from the fjord, two-time Olympian from the Kiel Yacht Club). We had a lot in common. He was also my coach for many years. He wasn't just "The Kiel Skipper" for me. We understood each other perfectly when he was in charge because we both thought in sailing terms.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
