Willi PADGE

Willi Padge joined Ratzeburger RC as a cox. Between 1958 and 1961, he won a major international title every year. In 1958, he won the European title in the coxless fours. A year later, he joined the eights that dominantly won the European title, and 1960 Olympic gold.

The 1960 crew was known as the “Ratzeburg” crew, even though their members came from both the Ratzeburg and Ditmarsia Kiel clubs, and their prowess was attributed partially to their new oar design. They won the first non-US gold in the eights since 1900 and were subsequently elected West German Team of Year as they were in 1959. They were also awarded the Silver Bay Leaf in both 1959 and 1960, the highest German sports award.