"My name is Bouwe Bekking - and I'm an addict" - under this headline, the organisers of the Volvo Ocean Race rejoiced at the comeback announcement of one of their most dazzling figureheads. Holland's best-known circumnavigator alongside his compatriot and two-time Ocean Race winner Cornelis van Rietschoten wants to give it another go. Having wanted to crown his career with a victory in the last Volvo Ocean Race, but not quite succeeding with second place, Bekking is now setting his sights on his eighth participation in the most famous team race around the world.
After a total of three second places in the race of his life, the sea addict, who is also known in Germany for his work for owners such as Hans-Otto Schümann, Albert Büll and Hasso Plattner, cannot stop fighting for the first Ocean Race victory in his successful sailing career, which has now lasted more than four decades. "We achieved a very good result in 2014/2015. And I am proud of it. But I believe that we can take further big steps based on the experience we have gained with the new standardised class," says Bekking. "Only when I can't learn anything more will I stop sailing."
In addition to Bekking, two other Dutch campaigns are looking for financial support in their sailing-loving home country, where the next edition will end in The Hague/Scheveningen. But Bekking also brings good international contacts to this next campaign, which he has now heralded with his public statements. At the age of 54, Bouwe Bekking thinks less about his own participation record than about his strongest motivation when he says with a laugh: "I still haven't won this damn race!"
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
