How did you get hold of Prince Henrik's dragon?
When I heard that "Najade" was for sale, I immediately realised that I had to buy it. I have many memories of taking part in regattas with the late Prince Henrik. I also wanted this boat to stay in Denmark and not be sold abroad. It is a masterpiece of Danish boatbuilding.
You are not only a regatta sailor, but also one of Denmark's best-known boat sellers. Do you also see the royal kite as an investment?
Not at all! As long as I live, this boat will be sailed by me and not sold. Next year, we will train twice a week and then sail in selected regattas. My son Kasper, who has now taken over the business, also had to reassure me that "Najade" will always have a place with us - even though he is not a sailor himself, but a motorboat driver.
When did you meet Prince Henrik?
In 1986 at the Danish Championships in Vejle, I came first in the Dragon, while Prince Henrik crossed the finish line in second place. We got talking and soon the royal family asked if I would like to go on board the prince as a tactician.
Did you have to think long and hard?
Of course not - who could resist? I had the great pleasure of sailing kites with him for several years, both in Hong Kong, in the Solent and during Kieler Woche. He was very sociable and wanted to be treated like any other sailor on board. However, on land or on the royal ship "Dannebrog", it was essential to maintain etiquette.
Were you invited to a meal on the "Dannebrog"?
Much better. We lived on the kingship during the regattas. The kite always stood on the deck and was craned into the water for the races. It was all pretty posh for a lad from southern Jutland like me.
Was the Prince Consort also a good sailor?
Absolutely. He loved sailing and was a huge fan of the potential and classic aesthetics of kites. Sometimes you had to ask him to focus on his own boat again during the regattas because he kept marvelling at the other kites. But he always came to the regattas very well prepared and got better and better. The prince was never taken into consideration on the course.
What makes "Najade" so special, apart from the prominent previous owner?
The boat is one of the last kites to be built by Børresens. The cabin roof is made of the finest mahogany and Prince Henrik's monogram is skilfully worked into it in gold leaf - which of course makes the boat unique. All the details on this boat are crafted to the highest standards of boatbuilding. I've had four other kites before, but this one is by far the most beautiful I've seen - and as the Prince only got this boat when he was older, it's hardly been used and is therefore as good as new.
How do you deal with such a treasure? Do you play classical music to "Najade" every evening?
I play the royal anthem of Denmark: Kong Christian stod ved højen mast ("King Christian stood at the high mast"). Henrik Reese laughs. Of course we arouse curiosity when we moor in the harbour with "Najade", but otherwise the boat is treated like all my previous kites. So good! When the boat is not in the water, it is in our exhibition hall, where it can be viewed by anyone who is interested.
