The Journey - Lars, Jon & 'Tri'

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 father and Son Adventure” — a window into Lars and Jons Garmin Round Denmark Race 2025 in their Cosair F31 'Tri'.

Jon (22) and Lars Kaempfe (54) come from Flensburg, Germany. For them, sailing is more than a sport — it is a shared passion and a family tradition. Jon has sailed since early childhood, with experience in dinghies and trimarans, while Lars has been sailing all his life, mainly on multihulls. Together, they crew a Cosair F31 one design from 2005 — a lightweight and high-performance trimaran designed by Ian Farrier. With a mainsail of 42 m², a jib of 23 m², a Code 0 of 43 m², and a gennaker of 85 m², their boat is built for speed and adventure.

Why join the Garmin Round Denmark Race?

For Jon and Lars, the race is a tradition — and a challenge. Their first GRDR was in 2021 with a Dragonfly 800 special, and they have since returned in 2024 and 2025 with their Cosair F31.

"For us, it's more of a challenge than a regatta. Nevertheless, we want to sail the boat as fast as possible. The challenge and motivation is to complete this wonderful course around Denmark together as father and son, while meeting the varied demands. On this course, it is very likely that the boat and crew will have to withstand a wide range of conditions. Every race is different and remains an unforgettable memory."

Facing the challenges at sea

Every race brings its own obstacles — and GRDR 2025 was no exception. For Jon and Lars, the race tested their sailing skills and endurance in different ways.

"This year, the forecast was very good for us and our boat. From Aarhus to Bornholm, we were able to fully exploit the potential and sail out a lead of about 30 miles. Up to this point, a record would even have been theoretically possible. Accompanied by incredible sunsets and moonrises, it was wonderful sailing. The crossing from Bornholm to Rügen was tough for us and we lost about 14 miles of our lead. From Gedser, the wind left us and we had to endure seeing our entire lead over Frida reduced to zero. From then on, full concentration was required in extremely light and shifting winds towards the “Little Belt.” It was clear that we had a good chance of winning if we managed to be the first boat to pass through the passage in light winds and currents. We succeeded in doing so, and the remaining miles to the finish line were wonderful sailing with great feelings of happiness. In the end, we were the first boat to cross the finish line, but we couldn't quite keep up with the sailing time of “XAR,” which made perfect use of the breaks in the single-handed class. Congratulations to Richard for this special achievement."

Memorable moments from the race

For Jon and Lars, the memories are as much about the beauty of sailing as the competition itself.

"Definitely the amazing sunsets and the beautiful moon that accompanied us at night. Also, crossing the finish line as the first boat."

Lessons learned at sea

Racing is not only about skill — it is also about self-discovery.

"There is always a lot to learn every time you go sailing. In this regatta, it was particularly important not to rest on our lead and to stay focused until the very end. 'The race is decided at the finish line.' I would like to improve the autopilot situation to get more support under certain conditions. It's not perfect yet. We also noticed that sleep management is a challenge with a small crew. Between us, we only slept a total of 8 to 10 hours during the race. It's doable, but it's tough."

Advice for future participants

Preparation is key — mentally, practically, and technically.

"Of course, it's important that your boat is in good technical condition. That's a prerequisite. You can't do it without a boat. That applies to the electrical system, the sails, and everything else on board. In our case, everything went well and we didn't have any damage to the boat.For me, mental preparation is extremely important. It may sound strange, but it's good to get into the right frame of mind a few days before the race and not focus on other things.The most important food is water. Otherwise, we got by fine with bananas and a few snacks. It is also particularly important to stay warm and dry at night. Fatigue combined with cold and damp conditions is dangerous."

GRDR25 In one sentence

"It's a wonderful opportunity to sail around Denmark within a set time frame, accompanied by a fantastic organization, and to experience all the challenges and impressions that come with it, while also enjoying some quality father-son time. Perfect!"

The Garmin Round Denmark Race is more than a race — it is a journey filled with challenges, camaraderie, breathtaking scenery, and unforgettable memories. For Jon and Lars, it was a shared adventure that strengthened their bond and deepened their love for sailing. Their story is one of passion, perseverance, and the joy of pushing boundaries.

Registration for GRDR26 opens monday 27th October at 10:00am with a 25% discount, when using the code "GRDR25OFF" here: https://www.garminrounddenmarkrace.com/event-details/garmin-round-denmark-race-2026