The Journey - Brian, Dorthe & 'Elmo'

The Journey is a portrait series that brings you closer to the Garmin Round Denmark Race. We follow sailors from different backgrounds, with different boat types and dreams, giving insight into their journey — both physically and mentally. The series is a collection of personal stories showing what drives them, the challenges they face, and the moments that leave lasting impressions.

Each portrait in the series is a small story about dedication, teamwork, and experiences at sea. We want to inspire future participants and give a vivid insight into what awaits them when they embark on this unique sailing adventure.

Welcome to “The Journey: A trimaran voyage around Denmark” — a window into Brian and Dorthes Garmin Round Denmark Race 2025 in their Dragonfly 28 'Elmo'.

Brian lives in Hedensted with Dorthe, and together they have five children. By profession he works in IT, but on the water he finds something entirely different — a blend of challenge and freedom. Brian is a member of Horsens Sejlklub and has sailed since he was 25. His first boat was a Granada 27, purchased in 2006. Since 2020, he has owned three trimarans: a Dragonfly 800, a Dragonfly 25, and his current boat, a Dragonfly 28, which he owns with Dorthe, and with which they participated in the Garmin Round Denmark Race 2025.

The drive behind the participation

After sailing races for more than 15 years, seeking new challenges comes naturally. For Brian, the Garmin Round Denmark Race was not just another race.

"I have spent the last 15 years racing around Funen and Zealand, and I thought it would be an exciting challenge to try a longer race. At the same time, I was drawn to sailing places I had not sailed before."

Challenges that tested sailing skills

No long race is without obstacles. For Brian and Dorthe, these were both technical and natural challenges that tested him and his boat.

"The biggest challenge was definitely keeping power in the batteries. Even though we had 100 Ah lithium and conserved usage — no fridge and very limited autopilot — the solar panels could not keep up."

"Another challenge was the commercial traffic in the Kadetrenden between Falster and Rügen. There was considerable shipping in both directions, and together with light wind, it was difficult to cross the route without getting in the way. We had to give up a couple of times and wait until a ship passed. AIS was indispensable for assessing ships’ speed and course — especially in the dark."

A final challenge was lack of mobile coverage when we needed updated weather forecasts and current tables. This made planning an optimal route back from Bornholm difficult."

Unforgettable moments

There are moments from the race that stick in the memory. For Brian and Dorthe, they are both beautiful, challenging, and memorable.

"There are many. Sailing through anchored ships and rounding the buoy at Skagen. The storm north of Zealand in total darkness, with winds changing direction within half an hour. Arrival at Kronborg in moonlight. The trip to Bornholm with spinnaker in plenty of wind and large following waves. Planing towards Christiansø with the sunset behind us. Sneaking around in light wind between wind turbines and commercial vessels north of Rügen. A swim at Femern, drifting amidst the construction area for the tunnel. And finally — lying becalmed only three nautical miles from the finish line."

Personal learnings from five days at sea

For Brian and Dorthe, the Garmin Round Denmark Race was not just a physical challenge, but also a journey in self-awareness.

"I learned that you can function for five days with only short intervals of sleep — at most one and a half hours — when fatigue becomes too great. That you can find the drive to set the right sails — even on the third day — instead of just choosing the easy solutions. And that you can actually sail double-handed with your partner for five days without tearing each other’s heads off."

Advice for future participants

Being well prepared is essential to getting the most out of the race. Therefore, Brian and Dorthe shares their best tips.

"Make sure to have enough power for instruments etc. — or an efficient way to charge along the way. Save the latest weather forecasts on your mobile or tablet regularly so you still have the latest data even when there is no mobile coverage."

A simple description of the Garmin Round Denmark Race

When asked to describe the race in one sentence, Brian’s answer is clear:

"It’s more of an experience than an actual race."

Brian and Dorthes’s story is a vivid example of what the Garmin Round Denmark Race is all about. A journey that is not only about racing but also about personal growth, teamwork, and creating memories for life.

Get your entry fee for GRDR26 now with a 25% discount, when using the code "GRDR25OFF" here: https://www.garminrounddenmarkrace.com/event-details/garmin-round-denmark-race-2026