A look back at one of the most extraordinary voyages in German sailing history: 25 years ago, Wilfried Erdmann’s single-handed, non-stop circumnavigation of the globe against the prevailing wind came to an end after 343 days with his return to Cuxhaven. To this day, he remains the only German to have successfully completed a non-stop circumnavigation of the globe in both directions. The photo gallery offers a direct comparison of Erdmann and his ‘Kathena nui’ at departure and arrival. It illustrates just how great the difference really is between his departure and his return after eleven months at sea.
A week before its arrival in July 2001, the yacht Wilfried Erdmann was in the English Channel. The original text describes the moment when, after months at sea, it first became clear that his journey against the wind would actually be a success.
On that occasion, a conversation also took place with Erdmann about the final few miles, the hardships of the journey and the moment when the destination first came into view.
