At 1.40 pm, the time has come: even before Asha Reich and Helge Aßmann have moored their "Gegenwind", applause erupts. Family members, friends and acquaintances have come to the jetty of the Marine-Jugend Kieler Förde e.V. on the Kiellinie to welcome the two circumnavigators. Shortly beforehand, a small fleet of sailing friends had accompanied the "Gegenwind" on the last stretch to the harbour of destination. Now it is done and they have returned to the place from which they set off on their circumnavigation ten years ago.
They can't quite believe it yet. "It's a strange feeling. It's familiar, but also somehow strange to be back here after ten years," says Helge Aßmann, even before he goes ashore. But it's great to see everyone again. "The last week flew by. We thought we could arrive in peace. Not a chance," says Asha Reich. They didn't even manage to tidy up, adds Helge Aßmann.
They arrived in Cuxhaven, their first German harbour, in mid-September. Last week, they set off for the Baltic Sea. They travelled via the Kiel Canal to Rendsburg before reaching their final destination for the time being on the Kiellinie on Saturday.
Unexpected hurdles
Since leaving Germany in 2014, they have crossed three oceans, the Caribbean and the South China Sea. They have mastered numerous adventures and challenges along the way: They sailed through storms with huge waves, spent 51 days uninterrupted at sea, ran aground on a reef, fell out of a crane with their "Headwind" and survived two cyclones and a hurricane.
"Our journey has always meant arriving, adapting and trying out new things"
During the coronavirus pandemic, they were stuck in East Timor for a whole 18 months. They were unable to leave their anchored ship for a long time, but they braved storms, a near-disaster and bureaucracy. All these trials have also brought them closer together as a couple. Just a few weeks ago, at the end of June, they officially sealed their bond: on Porto Santo, an island in the middle of the Atlantic, they said "I do" after ten years of travelling together.
Looking forward to the adventure ahead
"Being together around the clock, year after year - many people say they can't do that with their partner. But we've been doing it for ten years now," says Helge Aßmann. Now that they will be living on land again, they are looking to the future with excitement. Not with worry - rather, they are looking forward to the adventure that is about to begin, they say.
More about circumnavigation:
However, coming home and putting their feet up is out of the question for them: "Our journey has always meant arriving, adapting and trying out new things," says Aßmann. And that's exactly how they want to continue. "We set off and organise the rest step by step," says Asha Reich. There is no fixed plan for them. But their Blogwhich they wrote during their entire journey, they want to continue writing after their arrival.
"Let's see where it takes us"
First, however, they are looking for a flat, a job and a winter berth for their "Gegenwind". They certainly don't want to sell their faithful companion; instead, they want to refurbish the ship properly. They already have numerous new cruise ideas buzzing around in their heads. "Let's see where it takes us. Maybe up to Norway or around England or the Baltic. Greenland would also be nice."
Helge Aßmann and Asha Reich spoke to YACHT in detail about their journey and the many adventures they had with their "Gegenwind". You can read the entire interview in issue 23/2024 and soon online.
