Context: Classic yacht racing

In the summer of 1998 I found myself in the middle of the Balearic Sea, with no land in sight. I was part of a crew sailing under Spanish flag. We were up against sturdy, almost invisible waves of a dark night. With only occasional help by the moonlight, our progress depended more on knowing how to find a way, and less on seeing the way.

A few weeks earlier, as I touched down at Aeropuerto Palma de Mallorca, my intention to go sailing was close to zero, my knowledge of sailing closer to zero. That has changed. I travelled, raced and learned on board of fine classic yachts. Later on, I also completed a RYA/DoT Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore shorebased course with the National Marine Correspondence Shool (United Kingdom).

Ivanhoe was designed by Tore Holm and built in 1938. So far, most of my regatta days were spent on this 72 ft yawl.

Alraune was designed by Henry Rasmussen and built in 1928. On this beatiful cruiser racer, the first of its kind, I sailed in the Kattegat and on lake Vänern.

Agneta was designed by Knud Reimers and built in 1948. In 2003, I was part of the winning crew at Conde de Barcelona regatta in the vintage boats category.

My deal on Keridwen, a classic, but decaying yacht: Varnish the wood and organize a crew for an upcoming regatta. In return the captain tought me how to make knots. The moment when the cleats came off the deck by force of the wind in the sails, I knew why I was on this vessel to make my first sailing experience.