The world famous boat builder and sailor, Börge Börresen has passed away at his home at the age of 87 years writes Dan Ibsen, Secretary General Danish Sailing Association.

Börge Börresen built his first Dragon together with his brother, Albert at an age of 16 in the winter 1935-36. Since then many of the famous Börresen Dragons have been sold all over the world through more than 60 years. Börresens Boatyard in Vejle, Denmark became world famous for the beautiful wood boats and later the glasfibre boats. The boatyard built 325 Dragon in wood, before it was recognised to build the boat in glasfibre. All boats have been consistently built to the highest quality standards, and many customers have bought several Börresen boats during their active years in sailing.

Börge Börresen was in 1971-1972 involved in the process of preparing the Class Rules for allowing glasfibre boats to sail equally with the wood boats. In this way Börge Börresen, among others secured the future of the Dragon after it sailed in the Olympics the last time in 1972. The Dragon Class has since then been growing even stronger and is together with the Star one of the ISAF International Keelboat’s Classes with the most competitors at International regattas and World Championships. Many sailors remember the 75 Years Jubilee Regatta in St Tropez, with nearly 300 boats on the starting line in one race.

Börge was at the same time a fantastic sailor, he competed in 51 consecutive Dragon Gold Cups and won in his long sailing career numerous regattas and titles, the last World Championship at an age of 74 years together with Jesper Bank and his son Ole Börresen. The most outstanding results are:
Worlds no. 1 – 1984 & 1993
Worlds no. 2 – 1981
Worlds no. 3 – 1971 & 1973
Europeans no. 1 – 1959, 1960, 1973, 1984
Dragon Gold Cup – 1951, 1956, 1967, 1985
Börresens Boatyard in Vejle, Denmark has been building many National and International classes during the years, among those also the Finn, 5, 5 Meter, Swallow, Soling and Yngling. The 40 Finn dinghies used at the Olympics in Helsinki 1952 came from Vejle, and his countryman Paul Elvström won his second Gold Medal, the first of three in Finn. Solings from Vejle has won numerous championships and Olympic medals, the last Gold Medal by Jesper Bank in Sydney 2000. The Börresen Ynglings have also been dominating international sailing competitions since it became an Olympic Class.

Börge Börresen’s sons, Anders and Ole started working in the company in 1969 and took over in 1982, but Börge still showed up at the boatyard daily and in his calm way closely followed everything until he passed away last weekend.

Börge was through many years a driving force in the Danish Dragon Class, also acting as Chairman for many years, and he has also served as Vice-President in the International Dragon Class.

Börge was honoured with the Royal Order of Dannebrog and has received the Danish Sailing Association Medal of Honour as appreciation of his lifelong dedication to the sport and as renowned boatbuilder.

Sailing, and Danish Sailing in particular has lost a pioneer, a fantastic boatbuilder and sailor and a great personality and gentleman, who dedicated his whole life to the sport of sailing. Börge Börresen continues to be a legend in Denmark and his hometown Vejle, also after he passed away.