Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard June to September

Hans Fogh – A remarkable sailor

by Dan Ibsen, Sail-World Europe on 17 Mar 2014
Hans Fogh Ian McAllister
Hans Fogh, born in 1938, passed away on 15 March 2014, aged 76 years, was one of the world 's most successful sailors with a sailing career which really started when he as a 22 -year-old won Olympic silver in 1960 at his first Olympic Games for Denmark in the Flying Dutchman class, together with Ole Gunnar Petersen. and as late as 2006, it was the World Championship gold in the Soling.

Hans Fogh grew up in Copenhagen in a family of gardeners, who expected that he would take over the family business. He started sailing at age 17 in Hellerup Sailing Club and was soon offered a job with his sailing friend Paul Elvstrøm, who also sailed in Hellerup.

From Elvstrøm he learned his skills as a sailmaker and in 1969 he emigrated to Canada and started Elvstrøm Sails Canada. Later he started Fogh Sails, which later became the Norths Sails Canada. In addition, he operated Fogh Marine, which his son Morten took over some years ago.

Hans Fogh also helped to design the first sail for the world's most popular dinghy class - the Bruce Kirby designed Laser - and was the first person to sail the Laser.

Ever since he moved to Canada more than 40 years ago, he has maintained relations with the family in Denmark, his great friend Paul Elvstrøm and Hellerup Sailing Club, which he always visited a few times a year.

Hans Fog participated in six Olympic Games. Four Olympic participations for Denmark, where he won Olympic silver in the Flying Dutchman in Naples in 1960, and two Olympic participations for Canada, where he won Olympic bronze in the Soling in Los Angeles 1984.

There were many highlights of Hans Fogh 's sailing career and it has indeed been a remarkable sailing career in two Olympic classes, namely Flying Dutchman and Soling. He has been part of the world elite in sailing for an impressive 46 years, starting with the Olympic silver in 1960 and winning his last World Championship in Soling in 2006.

This shows partly Hans Fogh’s love for sailing and partly the great sailor and athlete he was. He sailed the Soling until shortly before his death.

Besides two Olympic medals, he won two World Championship gold and two European Championships gold in the Flying Dutchman, and two World Championship gold and three European Championship gold in the Soling. In addition numerous silver and bronze medals at worlds and continental championships, and victories in numerous international races worldwide. Back in North America, he often also sailed Etchells, and his son Thomas also sailed with his father for some years, and was supported in his Olympic ambitions.

His wife Kirsten was the family bastion and focal point throughout the years, and without Kirsten's strength and great support to her husband, it would not have been possible for Hans to achieve the many successes as a top-sailor and in his business career.

Hans Fogh was humanly an extraordinary person who was incredibly rewarding, helpful and highly respected by everyone around him. When getting ashore after the races, you always saw Hans telling even competitors, how they could improve trim and technique.

The Soling class considered Hans Fogh like a father figure in the class, and he was close to the class for many years and sailed actively for over 40 years, up unti he passed away a few days ago. Hans undertook always a role where he wanted teach others about sailing the Soling class. He always motivated all his competitors - and friends - to improve, have fun and promote the Soling class. One of the stories from the class was that Hans at a debriefing after a race, giving good advice to other sailors on boat speed and trim, and then he added: 'You have to go any faster because it's more fun for me when the races are closer'!

I have myself experienced, coming to North America to train and sail for Olympics, Pre-Olympics, Worlds and other races that Hans was always ready to help Danish sailors. I will always think back on Hans as a great sailing friend from Hellerup Sailing Club, on his helpfulness, cheerfulness, positive attitude to life and infectious humor.

In 1985, Hans Fogh was honored in Canada by being entered into the Canada Sports Hall of Fame.

Our thoughts are with his wife Kirsten, sons Morten and Thomas and all the family in the coming difficult time.

Glory to Hans Fogh’s memory.


North Sails Loft 57 PodcastMarine Products Direct 2023 - Calypso FOOTERCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTER

Related Articles

Big Breeze, Big Hair, and Big Hopes
Scorpion Nationals Runners & Riders 2025 Has your summer even started if you haven't read the Scorpion runners and riders?!
Posted today at 9:23 am
RS200 Cornish Championships
‘Twas a murky morning on the Restronguet shoreline 'Twas a murky morning on the Restronguet shoreline, but thankfully that didn't deter the fleet. The commencement of the West Country Boat Repairs RS200 Cornish National Championships was nigh: this meant a big day lay ahead.
Posted today at 9:03 am
Dragon Edinburgh Cup in Torbay overall
Tight Racing and Tactical Brilliance The final day of the 2025 Edinburgh Cup brought sunshine, shifting breeze, and two exciting races that kept the championship wide open until the very last run.
Posted today at 8:13 am
WASZP Games 2025: Talent & fun descend on Weymouth
Poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history The 2025 International WASZP Games, set to take place from July 19–25 at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, are poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history.
Posted today at 7:23 am
Transpac 2025 Update: Moon River Tonight!
The magic of offshore racing in the 2025 Transpac A vast ocean separates Los Angeles, California, from Honolulu, Hawaii, but the boats racing in this year's Transpac have now crossed the halfway mark. Race leaders are in the tradewinds and making their approach to the Aloha State.
Posted today at 12:26 am
All smiles among first finishers of the AEGEAN 600
The fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion As the fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion and made their way to the harbour at Olympic Marine, there were exhausted smiles all around.
Posted on 10 Jul
British Classic Week day 4
It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for the OneSails inshore race It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for day 4 of British Classic Week with hot temperatures, sunshine and no breeze in the morning before the sea breeze kicked in from the west and it was time to go racing.
Posted on 10 Jul
ORC DH Europeans Short Offshore Race
Strong competition and tough conditions The Long Offshore Race, the most demanding stage of the 2025 Garmin ORC Double-Handed European Championship, is well under way in the Gulf of Finland.
Posted on 10 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 5
Finalists locked in for new Medal Series format With the sea breeze stubbornly refusing to make an appearance, Day 5 of the iQFOiL World Championship turned into a long waiting game both ashore and on the water.
Posted on 10 Jul
Jazz Turner Video Interview
How she Faced Everything And Rose during Project FEAR I travelled to Brighton Marina to catch up with Jazz, talking about her own sailing, the challenges she faced during the circumnavigation, how the money raised will be used, and a glimpse of her future projects!
Posted on 10 Jul