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Viking

Viking was built in 1957 at the boatyard of Borge Børresen in Denmark. It has a mahogany planked varnished hull, framed with ash. Deck planking was pine covered originally with canvas, then with light fiberglas cloth. Its original sail number was D139, the boat was named Bluenose, and she was sailed from the Hellerup Sailclub, Denmark.

In 1964 she was sold to Ronald L Watts of Kingston Ontario, a former Dean at Queen’s University, who renamed her Viking. She was allocated sail number KC98 and sailed out of the Kingston Yacht Club.

Subsequently ownership passed to Les Brazier of Toronto, then to his son Tony Brazier, and finally to Harry Angus upon the passing of Tony. The boat for many years was extensively raced (over 400 races) during this latter period from the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, most particularly from 1972 to 1991.

In 1985, Tony, Harry (helm), and Dean Clarkson won 11 straight races on Viking, winning the initial practice race, the five races of the Duke of Edinburgh and the five races of the North American championship. This accomplishment was acknowledged by the RCYC who awarded the “Henderson Hornblower” trophy to the crew as achieving the best results by a club member that year.

Viking was totally restored in the yard of John Gyles of Thornbury in 2012 and currently is not being sailed but is in covered storage in the barn of Harry Angus where it awaits its next adventure.

Boat NamesBluenose 1957-1960
Majbrit 1960-1964
Viking 1964-present
Sail NumbersDD139 1957-1965
KC98/CAN98 1965-present
Builder
Build Year1957
Build CountryDenmark
Restored or Rebuilt2012 (John Gyles of Thornbury)
Significant DatesOne of the top boats at the RCYC from 1972 to 1991
Yacht ClubsRoyal Canadian Yacht Club, Toronto ON