Ove Joensen’s solo row to Copenhagen remembered 40 years on

Kringvarp Føroya reports that Ove Joensen became a hero 40 years ago when he stepped ashore at Langelinie in Copenhagen after rowing alone from the Faroe Islands for 42 days.

The Nólsoy resident completed the journey on 11 August 1986. He was met by what the report describes as the largest crowd ever gathered in Copenhagen to honour a single person. His determination, persistence and courage enabled him to accomplish what many had considered impossible.

Joensen had already made two unsuccessful attempts to complete the route, leaving people worried and excited when he set out on his third try. His cousin Hilmar Joensen remembers the period well and regularly tells the story as a guide at Ovasavn, a museum dedicated to Ove Joensen in Nólsoy.

“The story of Ove, who achieved the impossible through persistence, provides inspiration and must not die. That is why we must continue telling it,” Hilmar Joensen said.

The loss was particularly great when Ove Joensen died tragically on 26 November 1987 in Diana Victoria, the boat that had meant so much to him.

Kringvarp Føroya also published an interview with Hilmar Joensen from the programme Summarmorgun, in which he discusses Ove Joensen, the crossing and Ovasavn.