In Aarhus, preparations for the Garmin Round Denmark Race have long been underway again. The organisation is in the hands of the well-known Aarhus International Sailing Center, home to many regatta sport attractions, the location of the Danish national sailing team and a popular training ground for many of the sport's top international players. In 2018, for example, the World Sailing Championships for all Olympic disciplines were also held here.
Long-distance sailing with plenty of variety
And this is also where the participants for the Garmin Round Denmark will gather in the Danish summer, before the starting signal for the solo challenge is given at 9 am on 8 August and all other crews are sent into the race from 5 pm. The Aarhus International Sailing Centre is the heart of the challenging 680 nautical mile regatta around Denmark. The race for soloists, double-handed teams and larger crews starts and finishes in Aarhus.
The very varied course will pass Skagen, leads east of Bornholm, Christiansø, south of Lolland-Falster and west of Funen. The detailed course is described in the sailing instructions. A course map can be found in our picture gallery. Official updates can be found regularly on the Homepage for the Garmin Round Denmark Race.
"There is only one course this year: the inshore course. On the evening before the start in Aarhus, we will host a sail-away dinner for all participants at the Aarhus Sailing Centre," says Event Manager Søren Ilsø Mahneke from the Aarhus International Sailing Centre, which is ideally located on the waterfront on a headland in the maritime district of Docklands (Aarhus Ø) in Aarhus.
One for all: soloists, duos and larger crews included
The Garmin Round Denmark Race is open to soloists, duos and larger crews in three keelboat disciplines and two multihull classes. The keelboat classes are divided into 21 to 30 feet, 30.01 to 40 feet and 40.01 and larger. In the multihulls, small (21 to 30 feet) or large (from 30.01 feet) are entered.
The entry fee of 300 euros (soloists), 600 euros (duos), 900 euros (crews of three) and 1200 euros for crews of four or more includes: the Aarhus harbour fees from 5 to 8 August, access to the sailors' lounge at the Aarhus International Sailing Center, event T-shirt and prizes, the sail-away dinner and 24-hour security surveillance by the organisers. The organisers are offering a ten percent discount for entries received by 30 May.
"We like endurance regattas like this," said Martin Görge two years ago, when he took on the challenge of the Garmin Round Denmark Race with an ambitious crew of family and friends on the J120 "Honky Dory". "We would have liked a few more boats on the course, but we really enjoyed the race," said Martin Görge at the time.
Garmin Round Denmark Race: a great experience
Lars and Jon Kämpfe are planning their second consecutive participation this year. They are competing with the trimaran "Tri" and wrote to the organisers: "We are taking part in GRDR 2025 because it is a great event and offers the opportunity to sail as a 'father-son project' through 'almost' all Danish waters with their unique beauty and challenges within a few days."
The Kämpfes are coming back, even though they experienced highs and lows on their debut. From the thrill of racing in constantly changing conditions to the setback of a damaged sail - Lars and Jon Kämpfe have been through thick and thin together. For both of them, the Danish endurance race is about more than just the competition - it's about having a good time, sharing experiences and strengthening their bond as father and son.
