Fred Ostermann
Fred Ostermann (born April 15, 1934 in Saarbrücken ; † February 11, 2012 in Sankt Ingbert / Saar) was a pioneer of windsurfing . The development of the wind glider goes back to him . In 1979, it produced more surfboards than any other competitor, making it world market leader.
Very early on, he recognized the possibility of making his sports equipment an Olympic discipline through a doctorate. On the recommendation of the International Sailing Association ( IYRU , now World Sailing), his Windglider prevailed at the International Olympic Committee ( IOC ) with more than twice as many votes against the equally well-known windsurfer of the American Hoyle Schweitzer . Schweitzer lost the duel, but was also the patent holder and benefited greatly from the surf boom that had been triggered. First, however, he still tried to prevent a start by filing a patent lawsuit and petition with Robby Naish . In the end, Ostermann prevailed with his Windglider; However, Schweitzer earned millions in license fees. Jim Drake , the not unequivocal inventor, had sold his patent to Schweitzer very early on for allegedly $ 30,000. Thus, windsurfing on the Ostermann Windglider in Los Angeles in 1984 became an Olympic discipline for the first time.
Shortly before the Olympics, Ostermann sold his company to Baron Marcel Bich , the inventor of the well-known disposable lighter and ballpoint pen, and owner of the BIC company, also due to economic compulsion . A few years later the brand disappeared from the market.
In 1977 Ostermann became vice world champion in tandem windsurfing together with Derk Thijs.
Even today, in Germany at the German Class Association of Tandemsurfer e. V. (DKT) the "Fred Ostermann Cup" - a windsurfing competition in tandem sailing - takes place every year.
Web links
- DER SPIEGEL 35/1981 August 24, 1981 "Well done"
- DER SPIEGEL 33/1981 August 10, 1981 "Wind in hand"
- Messages and reports for windsurfers and RC sailors. Retrieved July 17, 2014 .
Individual evidence
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Ostermann, Fred |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | German pioneer of windsurfing |
| DATE OF BIRTH | April 15, 1934 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Saarbrücken |
| DATE OF DEATH | February 11, 2012 |
| Place of death | Sankt Ingbert , Saar |