There aren't many countries on a continent that can say you're never more than 50km and fewer still that might be so interspersed with sailors. Yes, some island nations just might post a challenge but, reading some recent sailing 'fun facts' coming with Aarhus, Denmark's bid to host the 2018 ISAF Sailing World Championships, you'd think there isn't a country anywhere that can compare. It sounds like there are so many sailors you'd be practically tripping over them everywhere. Certainly it's a country that should be joining the rest of the world in the Summer Sailstice celebration of sailing! Will any Danish sailors join us?
As Aurhous, Denmark describes itself it is a country of coasts, city of sails, bay of champions - So have a look at the sailing stats from a clearly sailing infatuated city and country:
Denmark has 7,314km of coastline (You are never more than 50km from the coast in Denmark and usually much closer to a sailor).
Denmark has a population of 5,602,628. (could be a couple more since this was written!)
Aarhus is Denmark’s second largest city with a population of 324,000.
More broadly there are approximately 1.5 million people within one hour`s drive.
Denmark has 270 sailing clubs.
Sailing Aarhus is made up by its five sailing clubs,who have hosted over 300 international regattas in the last 25 years.
Denmark has won 28 Olympic sailing medals; 12 gold, 9 silver and 7 bronze, more than any other Olympic sport.
The Bay of Aarhus has an area of approximately 150km², water depth varies between 10 and 25m with practically no current. Aarhus - or “Aros” as the city was called in the Viking Age - means “mouth of the river”.
Aarhus is surrounded by water, with a 20km coastline and one of the world’s cleanest bays to the east.
There are two international airports within an hour’s drive of the competition venue; Aarhus airport (35 minutes), Billund airport (1 hour).
Aarhus is the cultural, commercial and educational centre of Western Denmark.
Aarhus has a large population of students and young people and a bustling and energetic atmosphere.
Sounds like a pefect place to sail, an ideal place to host the ISAF World Championships and a perfect place to celebrate sailing on Summer Sailstice.
A place to challenge some of the world's best sailors.
With a centuries old sailing heritage Aarhus also hosted tall ships in 2013 with Sail Training International.
Any city with its own sailing logo has to be cool.
The city of Aarhus, Denmark - a city of sails, sailors and smiles.
