The sailing world bids farewell to Felix Scheder-Bieschin, who passed away in Hamburg on 17 December 2024 at the age of 95. As the owner of several yachts named "Vineta", the enthusiastic offshore sailor won many silver medals. As part of the German Offshore Awards 2023, he was honoured by the German Offshore Owners Association with the Lifetime Award for his lifetime achievement in sailing.
Scheder-Bieschin was born in Lübeck in 1929, the son of an active regatta sailor. As a 10-year-old, he joined the youth section of the Kiel Yacht Club, where he grew his sea legs and remained a member for the rest of his life. At the beginning of the 1960s, his professional career took him to the Hanseatic city on the Elbe, where he joined the North German Regatta Club. From then on, he was involved in training youth members.
Scheder-Bieschin took part in three Admiral's Cup competitions on his own yachts and crossed the Atlantic several times to compete in the USA. He only ended his active regatta career in 2009 at the age of 80 by taking part in the Middle Sea Race.
The successful shipowner had a special interest in the Hamburgischer Verein Seefahrt (Hamburg Maritime Association), which he chaired from 1997 to 2003. He supported the training of young people on modern ocean-going yachts in the HVS out of deep conviction.
Felix Scheder-Bieschin will be remembered above all for his tireless commitment to promoting young talent.
Lasse Johannsen
Deputy Editor in Chief YACHT
