Family first for Bekking – even in the Southern Ocean

Emotions are running high for race veteran Bouwe Bekking, who suffered the loss of his father this week.

This is what the Dutch skipper of Team Brunel wrote to us this morning as he reflects on family and the role his dad played in encouraging him to live his dream:

“I always say family first to my crew(s). It is the most important thing in life. The job we are having takes its toll. Long away from home, when in stopovers never enough time for the family. It is important to find the right balance, there are way too many marriages who have ended up on the cliffs in our sport.

Today is a sad day for me. My old man passed away last week and today is his funeral. We knew that it was just matter of time and we agreed beforehand that I would race, but feeling not happy about it.

Here I am saying family first and letting my own family down. The only comfort what I get is that my dad reached a very nice age, the oldest so far in the family history and he had a good life. Thinking of all the things he taught me, all the hours we spend together when I was young kid, Lessons of life, the fun things like speedskating, fishing, biking, taking hikes and yes sailing.

He always supported my choice to become a professional sailor: just live your life and enjoy it 100%.
So even that we are hard racing, today my thoughts are with my old man, who I will miss tremendously.
SAIL ON DAD!
Bouwe.”

Story and image courtesy of the Volvo Ocean Race