Pure Gold!

Fantastic Dutch sailing news from the International sailing event 49 Trofeo S.A.R Princesa Sofia which has just been held in Mallorca, Spain, attracting 79 competing teams from all around the world.

One of those teams taking part were Dutch sailors Annemiek Bekkering, and her crew Annette Duetz. They were destined for success right from day 1. With the first race held on April 2nd they got off to a flying start – ending the day in first place.  That must have been a great boost to their confidence – but five days of racing remained!

Annemiek started sailing at the age of 6 and racing at the age of 9. She won the European Championship (youth class) in 2005; together with many top-3 and top-5 placings in International and World Championships competing in the two-man craft known as the Olympic49-erFX. Already an elite athlete she competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro,.

During the latest competition their coach urged them to ‘keep it simple’ and Annemiek’s own instinct is to ‘stick with what you know’. Those two mantras – as it turned out – guided them to such success that by the final day – the day of the medal race – they could no longer be beaten. Even as they crossed the start line they were assured of a Gold Medal!

This was a truly fantastic performance from 26 year old Annemiek Bekkering and her crew, Annette who is two years-younger.

We at Victron Energy are proud to sponsor Annemiek Bekkering and are, of course, thrilled for her to have had this spectacular success early in her career. We look forward to watching her perform, and of course we will be bringing you more news as it unfolds.