The popular Danish classic is a challenging long-distance regatta for soloists, double-handed crews and teams, which can also be sailed in the inshore and offshore variants. The offshore version starts in Esbjerg on the North Sea coast of Jutland. After passing Denmark's most westerly, most northerly, most easterly and most southerly points, the race finishes in Aarhus at the end of around 760 nautical miles.
This honest and self-critical Facebook entry by Anders Johansen, who is travelling with his JPK 1030, proves that solo skippers in particular should be extremely vigilant at all times.
"Day 2 update from the North Sea. 08:39. The skipper is sitting on the pot. Not interesting to write about in itself, but suddenly there's a loud bang and as I poke my head out of the saloon I see a large fishing boat 4 metres behind me. My 'Beluga' has kissed a corner of the steel cutter, pushing the bowsprit 50 cm into the tube itself. Fortunately, there doesn't seem to be any serious damage. The collision was of course due to insufficient lookout on both ships. I had seen the cutter beforehand, but did not consider it to be a danger. A misjudgement. I had also switched off the AIS alarm, as it makes a lot of noise in harbour areas. Be careful out there - and don't sit on the pot for too long!"
Johansen escaped with a scare and was able to finish the first leg to Skagen without any problems, even though he took the precaution of sailing without a flying headsail. After a thorough check, the "Beluga" was fully operational again from the second leg onwards.
In third place, the likeable Dane is expected to cross the finish line near Aarhus this evening. If you would like to follow Anders Johansen on his regattas, you can find him on Facebook under "Beluga racing".
