Former Olympic medallists and reigning World champions a plenty grace the city of Skagen during the Dragon Gold Cup sailing championship from 1-7 August 2009. Also the Royal Yacht, Dannebrog, is here for the duration of the event.

Among the competitors we find Jonas Hoegh-Christensen, the winner of the Finn Gold Cup/World Championship that took place 4 weeks ago in Vallensbaek near Copenhagen, Denmark, HRH The Crown Prince Frederik and also his father HRH The Prince Consort, both keen yachtsmen. They are joined by a large number of international yachtsmen from all over the world, some coming all the way from Australia and Japan to take part in the event.

– “It’s an impressive fleet. 80 Dragon-yachts – more than 250 sailors – are here for the competition this week, so there’s plenty to look at for the tourists enjoying the fantastic weather and seafood at Skagen’s picturesque harbour, even though you can’t see the actual racing from the piers,” says Event Chairman Morten Lorenzen from the Royal Danish Yacht Club

In the beautiful tourist destination Skagen at the top of the European continent, the local director of tourism is very happy to welcome the yachtsmen.

– The busy harbour of Skagen is a very important asset for our town. So one of the great things about an event such as the Dragon Gold Cup, is how it puts focus on Skagen as a harbour and sailing town. Also it means that a bunch of guests from potential new markets such as Russia and the far east is exposed to the joys of Skagen. And lastly, it’s a great opportunity to show the world that we are able to facilitate large events in the town,” says Lene Kappelborg, Director of Tourism in Skagen.

Before the last races Anatoly Loginov of Russia was number one, with the HRH The Danish Crown Prince is placed in a very respectable 15th position.

Danish Year of Sport 2009
In 2009 more than 50 major international sports events are taking place all over Denmark, including the IOC Olympic Session and the Olympic Congress. The World Taekwondo Championships, the UEFA Congress, the World Wrestling Championships and the World Men’s Team Squash Championships are also among the many events taking place in Denmark.

Due to the many events the Danish Government has appointed the year 2009 as the Danish Year of Sport. The Year of Sport is part of a national effort to realise a vision of the Danish Government: to place Denmark firmly as one of Europe’s leading hosts of major international sports events and congresses.

View the entire event calendar for 2009 on sporteventdenmark.com

Read more about the Dragon Gold Cup at http://www.goldcup.kdy.dk/

Read more about Skagen at http://www.skagen-tourist.dk/

For more information about the Danish Year of Sport please contact Project Manger Christian Ankerstjerne at E: ca@sporteventdenmark.com or T: +45 3051 0096