Across The Skagerrak

Power cruising Norway’s fjord coast

- Steve D'Antonio

After spending a few days in Copenhagen, I hopped a train for a four-hour ride north across Jutland, the peninsula that makes up much of Denmark and separates the North and Baltic Seas, to Holstebro. From there I took a short bus ride to the 750-year-old far northern seaport of Lemvig; the famed WWI Battle of Jutland took place not far from its shores.

When I left Copenhagen, it was a warm sun-drenched spring day. When I arrived in Lemvig, however, I was greeted by a chill wind laden with moisture. The North Sea is not far away, and its effects were noticeable. After a 30-minute walk through the village and along the shoreline, past fields planted with swaying golden canola flowers, I arrived at the marina. Within minutes I saw Nikita, the Fleming 75 aboard which I was to spend the next few weeks, during which I’d travel more than 700 nautical miles. Nikita was negotiating the narrow channel into the harbor. Her skipper deftly backed the vessel up to a bulkhead and I hurriedly tossed my bags aboard and stepped onto the swim platform, where I was met by her owner, Michael, along with Captain Magnus and mate Ida. After a short run, we arrived in the fishing port of Thyborøn, where we had dinner aboard and spent the night.