[1] He was born at Refne in Berg, Østfold as a son of wholesaler Christian August Anker (1840–1912) and Christine Charlotte Friis (1848–1899).

[6] Four years later, he was a crew member of the Norwegian boat Magda IX, which won the gold medal in the 12 metre class.

[6] Anker chaired the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club from 1916 to 1919 and 1921 to 1925, and was a co-founder and first chairman of the Nordic Sailing Federation from 1915.

Johan Anker became an internationally recognized yacht designer after entering the 1908 Olympics, held that year in Great Britain.

A few years later, Anker returned to the Solent for the 1911 Coronation Regatta, this time with the yacht Rollo, a 12mR design.

[citation needed] With the long, sleek and beautiful boats that Anker designed he soon became known as the “master of lines” not only in his home country but also in the rest of the world.