Aage BIRCH

Growing up on the shores of Lake Furesø near København (Copenhagen), Aage Birch was introduced to Dragon class in 1940. Birch sailed in Dragon class exclusively until the end of his career in 1972. Competing at three Olympics, the highlight of his career came in 1968, when he won Olympic silver. At the World Championships, Birch won silver in 1965 and at the European Championships he won gold in 1964 and silver in 1966. Birch is best remembered in the Dragon class community by winning the Dragon Gold Cup, the most prestigious competition in that class besides the World Championships, a record seven times – 1963-64, 1966, 1968-70, and 1972. After finishing his sporting career, Birch coached the 1980 and 1984 Danish Olympic teams. By profession Birch was a boat builder.