The Netherlands was the most successful nation in sailing at the 2024 Olympic Games with two gold and two bronze medals. Alongside exceptional sailor Marit Bouwmeester (the most successful female sailor in Olympic history with two gold, silver and bronze medals), Olympic champions Odile van Aanholt and Annette Duetz made a major contribution to this in the women's 49erFX skiff. They were able to defeat their strong Swedish and French rivals in a thrilling showdown.
From Olympic gold to the Women's America's Cup
In autumn 2024, Odile van Aanholt stood out once again: As the only team besides the German women's team at the premiere of the Women's America's Cup without real experience on the fast AC40 foilers, the Dutch women made it into the final of the top six with remarkable performances. After a short start-up phase, Jajo Team DutchSail even managed to win races in the preliminary round. One of the two AC40 helmswomen: the dynamic and determined Odile van Aanholt.
The Dutch women had the German women at the Women's Cup in Barcelona some F69 training ahead of them. And they had Odile van Aanholt, who, in addition to quickly transferring her sailing skills from the 49erFX to the AC40, also provided an effective motivational firework in the team. "We cheered and applauded each other every time they made up some ground on the other side of the boat."
Odile's surname is now Lambriex van Aanholt and she has been married to Bart Lambriex van Anholt since 2025. The two have known each other since primary school. By the end of their school years, they had fallen in love. He is also a double world champion in the 49er skiff. Their daughter Kato was born last July. However, the growing family has not changed the parents' passion for competitive Olympic sport.
Sailing is our life." Odile Lambriex van Aanholt
"We are travelling as a family with grandma as a babysitter so that we can sail during the day," says Bart Lambriex van Aanholt. When asked what continues to motivate her after her Olympic victory, Odile says just one word: "Joy!" She explains that she loves sailing: "It's my favourite job. I don't want to stop."
From Curaçao via Holland to the Olympic summit
Odile Lambriex van Aanholt was born in 1998 on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao, where her sailing-loving parents had emigrated. Her father Cor van Aanholt competed in the Laser at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, where he was the flag bearer for the Netherlands Antilles. Older sister Philipine can look back on two Olympic starts in 2012 and 2016 in the 470. Brother Just van Aanholt represented Aruba at the Olympic sailing regatta in Marseille.
Odile Lambriex van Aanholt grew up in a family of water sports enthusiasts with a strong connection to the sea. When she was twelve years old, the family moved back to the Netherlands. In 2011, she won gold in the U12 category at the Opti World Championships, finishing ninth out of 231 sailors from 57 countries and taking bronze in the girls' category. Since then, things have mostly only gone in one direction for her: upwards.
15 years later, Odile Lambriex van Aanholt is a three-time world champion and Olympic gold medallist and one of the most successful female sailors in the Dutch national team TeamAllianz. And she is hungry to keep going. However, because gold foresailor Annette Duetz ended her career after the triumph in Marseille, Odile is looking for a new foresailor on the LA28 course.
Not enough young talent: Dutch offensive for a new top Olympic team
The Dutch Water Sports Federation therefore launched an unusual major campaign last year to form a new top sports team in the Olympic skiff class: "We are looking for top female athletes with size, strength, stamina and character. Athletes who dare to dream of Olympic gold in Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032."
The association also spoke openly about the background to the search: "Our current generation of athletes is doing extremely well. They have a realistic chance of qualifying for Los Angeles 2028, but there are not enough young talent to continue to dominate the absolute world elite." Which is why the very active search for a female foresailor for "the best helmswoman in the world, Odile van Aanholt" has begun.
Kaj Böcker is responsible for the extraordinary programme at the Dutch federation and is supported by head coach Aaron McIntosh and other performance managers. The role for which the association is looking for fresh talent has been described as follows: "The skiff is a unique class in which everything comes together: strength, technique, courage and team chemistry. We have the knowledge, the boats and the programme. Now we're just looking for the right women to take the plunge."
This is not a supporting role. This is a unique opportunity." Kaj Böcker
They were looking for "not female sailors, but great, strong top athletes". More than 70 women responded to the call. An intensive three-month selection process followed. Two had cleared almost all the hurdles. One of them was Karlinde van Arendonk, a hockey player who joined the association project as a lateral entrant. She is still in the game. Marissa Ijben has also recommended herself from the association's own junior sailing programme.
Top sailors can also be career changers
The message from the Dutch: "The innovative process shows that top sporting talent does not necessarily have to come from the world of sailing." They can also be lateral entrants. Odile Lambrieux van Aanholt then competed in her first regatta after the Olympics, the Women's America's Cup and the birth of her daughter in Vilamoura at the beginning of this year with two different skippers: young sailor Marissa Ijben and another career changer. However, Arianne van de Loosdrecht is no longer part of the programme.
In the following Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca, the gilded helmswoman started with former Ilca 6 sailor Marissa Ijben. The duo finished in a promising seventh place. The Dutch Water Sports Federation reactivated the retired Norwegian world-class helmswoman and Olympic fourth-placed Helene Næss to replace Karlinde van Arendonk, who continues to be a strong lateral entrant from the talent project. "No changes are allowed at a Sailing Grand Slam event," said Odile Lambriex van Aanholt, explaining the necessary division of the two candidates. Her involvement with Marissa Ijben has not yet marked a final decision.
Difficult decision on course for the Olympics
At the same time, Odile Lambriex van Aanholt said in the final phase of the search for her new foresailor: "I have a bit of respect for the decision. You work hard together, but in the end you have to make a decision." The final decision will be made this year. It is, as the organisers of the first Sailing Grand Slams of the year, the Trofeo Princesa Sofíawrote: "The sailing world is watching this very closely. Other nations are already looking into expanding their talent searches. Will this be a medal-worthy initiative?"
Frank words, a clear edge: Odile Lambriex van Aanholt gave exciting insights into her dynamic sailing world in an in-depth interview a year ago:
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
