The Vikings Ventured Westward and Cleared the Trophy Table
(This article written by KDY Commodore Lars Ive was originally published in Danish in the December 2015 issue of KDY’s member magazine)
Mid-September, a contingent of KDY sailors traveled to Stamford in the U.S. The purpose was threefold. First, we were to meet with and compete against our Nordic sister clubs in the Atlantic Round, arranged by our joint representation in the U.S., North American Station. Then we were to meet our friendship club Stamford Yacht Club (SYC) in a match race which KDY had been challenged to. Finally, we were to participate in SYC’s 50th Valeur-Jensen Stamford Denmark Race (formerly known as the Stamford Denmark Friendship Race).
The Atlantic Round was sailed over three days in three different keel boats in two different locations. On the second day we sailed in J24s on the Hudson River, just off Ellis Island where in the past many Scandinavians first stepped onto American land. The Danish team, made out of Jonas Høgh, Henrik Andersen and Allan Larsen, ungraciously won all three days, even though it was a bit tight on the third day where we sailed in Ideal 18s in very light air. That wasn’t ideal for the Danish crew with a fighting weight of almost 300kg. But weight was overcome by ingenuity, with victory as the result.
For the following match race, the team was reinforced with Peter Kampmann, Henrik Asbjørn, and Commodore Lars Ive. The duel took place on the other side of Long Island Sound, across from Stamford and was sailed in SM40s – originally built for the worldwide Swedish Match series – 40 feet boats that look like smaller America’s Cup boats from back when the Cup was sailed in monohulls.
The assembled Danish team impolitely won the first four races. At that point it was decided to sail back across the Sound for some reconciliation beer in SYC’s beautiful club house. That evening, true to tradition, the Denmark Race gala dinner was held at SYC with gentlemen in blue blazers and white trousers and ladies in festive dresses.
On the last day we were to sail a short distance race. The Danes, now further reinforced with Steen and Bjørn Raagaard had been given an Xp44 to show the Danish colors on the race course. The crew did it so well and thoroughly that we won in both our class and overall. SYC’s Principal Race Officer, Ray Redniss concluded: “It would have been nice to tell you that someone else but the Danes won the last race – but that is not the case”.
We had some fantastic days filled with hospitality and great sailing. Big thanks to our friends in North American Station and SYC, including the many volunteer club members who provided accommodation and arranged a fantastic event for us.
I can only encourage other KDY members to experience the fun and challenge of friendly jousting on the water.