Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard brokerage

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.


Related Articles

Keep warm on and off the water
All about Henri-Lloyd's Merino 200 base layers Wearing the best base layers is key to being comfortable on and off the water, whatever the weather.
Posted today at 11:00 am
Transat Café L'or: Pam Lee has Class40 baptism
First skipper to have her own boat and her own project ready to race Ireland's Pam Lee has already made her own little bit of history as she lines up to start the Transat Café L'Or, the doublehanded race from Le Havre to Martinique.
Posted today at 10:09 am
Phantom Southeast Travellers at Broadwater
It was less about agility, more about zen Broadwater Sailing Club hosted the final round of the 2025 Phantom Southeast Traveller Series on Saturday 18th October. The conditions were overcast and dry, with forecasts predicting 7-12kts with gusts up to 15kts.
Posted today at 9:18 am
IFCA Fin & Foil Slalom Europeans overall
Circolo Surf Torbole closes the international season in style With one last Foil elimination round on Sunday, the IFCA Funboard European Championships Slalom Foil & Fin came to a close after five days of spectacular racing.
Posted today at 9:15 am
Supernova Southern Travellers at Haversham
Sailors arrived to a misty, still lake with barely a breath of wind Haversham Sailing Club hosted the Craftinsure Supernova Open on Sunday 12th October. The forecast looked dreadful and posed a real challenge for both the Race Officer and competitors.
Posted today at 8:35 am
16ft & 13ft Skiff Port Jackson Championship
A surprise guest on Red Pumps Red! Zoe Dransfield thought her boyfriend was joking when he told her he might be able to secure one of the world's best sailors to fill in on Red Pumps Red for Saturday's Port Jackson Championships. And who could blame her?
Posted today at 5:26 am
Inaugural Sea Sure Zenith Nationals at Warsash
A challenging weekend of sailing in the Solent Fourteen brand new Zeniths arrived at the wonderful Warsash Sailing Club for the classes very first National Championship. To say the atmosphere in the boat park was electric would be an understatement.
Posted today at 5:17 am
Cape 31 European Championship in Palma overall
The Bay of Palma finally turned it on for an epic Super Sunday Palma delivered. After three light-wind days, the Bay of Palma finally turned it on for an epic Super Sunday — three races back-to-back and a nail-biting finish to decide the 2025 Cape 31 European Championship.
Posted today at 4:59 am
Rolex Middle Sea Race Monohull Line Honours
Remon Vos' Black Jack 100 finishes at 05:44:07 CEST on Tuesday Remon Vos' Black Jack 100, skippered by Tristan Le Brun crossed the finish line of the 2025 Rolex Middle Sea Race at 05:44:07 CEST on Tuesday 21 October to take Monohull Line Honours in an elapsed time of 2 days 17 hours 44 minutes 07 seconds.
Posted today at 4:47 am
IOM Winter Series round 2 at Lincoln
Another good day at the Farm Another good day at the Farm, and after the High pressure and non events around the country last weekend, this was a welcome surprise, 12 skippers arrived, and Darin B took charge and got the buoys sorted so we had a good beat and run course.
Posted on 20 Oct