How grit, luck, and a no-dickhead rule shaped Jelmer's rise to the helm of one of sailing’s toughest competitions - and through an Orcas encounter
We speak with Jelmer about his journey into pro-sailing and becoming the youngest skipper of The Ocean Race 2023, the thrill of winning in front of a home crowd in Den Haag, steering through THAT wild Orca encounter, how tech is revolutionising the sport, the business behind the sails, and his ambitious plans for The Ocean Race Europe 2025.
1. "If we had to win one race, it was this one."
Romy: So, I came across the Ocean Race by chance when I was in Den Haag, and got to experience the amazing atmosphere and your team won the in-port race in front of the home crowd.
Jelmer: Yeah, it was a great day for us. If we had to win one race during the Ocean Race, it was this one for us. It was amazing.
2. "I was always on the water."
Romy: Let’s start at the beginning. When did you get into sailing?
Jelmer: I was born and raised in Groningen, in the north of the Netherlands. My parents had a summer house on a lake where I was always on the water—sailing, surfing, canoeing. I started doing small competitions, then regattas, and eventually aimed for the Olympics. But when I was 19, I also started sailing on bigger boats and got into offshore sailing. Five years ago, after the last Ocean Race, I got a place on the boat, did a lot of training, deliveries, and sailing with sponsors. Eventually, I became the skipper for this campaign.
Romy: And the youngest skipper from all the teams, right?
Jelmer: Yes, we were the youngest team.
3. "We encountered a pod of orcas."
Romy: What about the Orca story?
Jelmer: On the last leg from The Hague to Genoa, in the Strait of Gibraltar, we encountered a pod of orcas. They started hitting our rudders. We stopped the boat, hoping to make it less interesting for them. They eventually left, and we continued the race.
Romy: Nobody knows why this has been happening more frequently in the last three years, right?
Jelmer: That’s correct. Some think the orcas are playing, while others believe they are angry at tuna fishers. Recent research leans towards the playing theory.
4. "Sailing is 24/7."
Romy: I didn't grow up sailing, but I've become obsessed with the sport now. There’s so much to learn, from the technical side to the teamwork.
Jelmer: Yes, sailing is 24/7, and you can’t take breaks like in soccer or basketball. It’s always challenging, and you’re always in the weather.
Carolyn: I can relate. I got into racing lasers in Northern Ontario. How difficult was it for you to transition from smaller boats to larger ones?
Jelmer: Racing lasers helped me learn the basics of sailing. The transition can be hard because there’s no clear pathway. Meeting people and networking is crucial. I was lucky to join a youth sailing academy that provided coaching and a boat. Sometimes, it’s about being in the right place at the right time and having a bit of luck.
5. "Focus is key."
Romy: How did you balance education and sports, especially later on?
Jelmer: I did a lot of sailing during high school and university. I often missed classes but managed to graduate. I studied law but didn’t enjoy it much, so I later pursued a business master’s degree, which I’m about to finish.
Romy: Do you have any advice for Echo, who will start university and join the rowing team?
Jelmer: Focus is key. Sometimes you need to fully concentrate on studies, then switch to sports. In the Netherlands, it’s acceptable to take a bit longer to finish your degree. Rowing is great because you can train early in the morning before classes.
6. "We have a no-dickhead rule."
Romy: What makes you a good skipper?
Jelmer: I focus on giving everyone in the team their responsibility and facilitating their best performance. I try to make everyone a skipper in their role. I also focus on a few key decisions and avoid micromanaging.
Romy: How do you put together a team?
Jelmer: I look for seamanship, ensuring everyone is competent and reliable. We have a no-dickhead rule, ensuring team harmony. Lastly, we need specialists like fast drivers, good trimmers, an onboard medic, and a repair expert.
7. "Sailing struggles with visibility."
Romy: You mentioned the commercial side of the sport. Are there more efforts to push sailing into the mass market and get more people involved?
Jelmer: Yes, sailing struggles with visibility since we’re out at sea. Innovations like Starlink make it easier to stream the boat 24/7, helping to make the sport more commercially sustainable. Organizations are working hard to make sailing more accessible and visible.
Romy: The Ocean Race is like a roadshow, with opportunities to tell compelling stories. Maybe we should brainstorm a media format for sailing.
Jelmer: Yes, happy to brainstorm. Keeping the audience engaged is crucial, and having more frequent events like the European edition helps.
8. "Consistency is key."
Romy: What’s the best strategy to win a sprint race?
Jelmer: For ocean racing, it’s about sailing at 99% speed 100% of the time. Consistency is key. For inshore races, we focused on doing the simple things right and avoiding big risks.
9. "Don’t underestimate yourself."
Echo: Do people ever underestimate you for being a young skipper?
Jelmer: Sometimes, yes. Initially, it was hard to find the right people, but after our successful race, more people know me and trust my abilities.
Romy: What advice would you give to young people like Echo?
Jelmer: Be proactive and don’t be too passive or impressed by others. Respect everyone, but don’t underestimate yourself. Sometimes, you need to have a “go-for-it” mentality.
10. "Everyone is just human."
Romy: It’s about testing your comfort zones and realizing it’s not that bad.
Jelmer: Exactly. Everyone is just human, and you can achieve a lot by being confident and proactive.
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