In 1963, the Bremen native experienced his regatta premiere off Heligoland on the Burmester boat "Dorothee" - and kept coming back to Heligoland at Whitsun. He witnessed the founding of the local sailing club, the first long-distance race to Edinburgh, the event's heyday in the 1970s, its decline and its recovery. Werner Landwehr, 71 years old, is the contemporary witness of the North Sea Week par excellence.
YACHT describes his remarkable career from a youngster who made the Weser unsafe in the 1950s to a salt hump who can no longer be fazed by anything. Landwehr is a fanatical sailor who only acquired a new boat last year, a Figaro II, which perfectly suits his passion for challenging ocean racing and travelling. His first trip with it was typical for him in a way: 3000 miles to Ireland, including the Fastnet Race.
Of course, he will be back off Heligoland this year, with his usual youthful vigour. "The days go by so quickly," he says, "that I don't have time to grow old."
Read the story of a sailing maniac in the very best sense of the word in the new issue.
