On this date exactly one year ago, I left Denmark in a sailing boat without knowing where I'd end up or what I was doing for that matter.

Around this time of day we had reached Køge Bugt and we were on the way. Honestly ... I was very happy, very, very happy. Because now we were finally on the way and this thing that was kind of unreal, was becoming real.

I remember that I hardly slept the night before, that my mind crawled with questions and too few answers. I remember that during the night I thought the weather was too rough and that maybe we would not be able to leave and it troubled me. Because I was scared of what I was about to do but also scared of not doing it.

I knew that I had to do it ... and so I did. With a little help from my friends. It is amazing to think back on this day. To see how much it has changed my life and at the same time to see how much has remained the same.

I don't know who would have thought I'd end up here ... I was trying not to have too big expectations. And I am amazed - it almost makes me cry to think of the experiences I have had until now. The reality of what seemed unreal ... still seems unreal.

I wish that everybody could have a day like this and I know that the 7th of August 2002 will remain one of the biggest days of my life for a long time to come.