Volvo Ocean Race – Seize the day

by Stefan Coppers on 29 Mar 2015 Volvo Ocean Race – I just fished a carton of coffee creamer out of the food bag. Written on it in felt pen was: 'You can do it!' What a fantastic confidence booster in the middle of nowhere, written by Edgar Dinkelaar. This unique 30-something year-old man from Haarlem came to our base in Auckland and offered his services. He asked 'Whether he could help us pack'.

New Zealand had been on his bucket list for a while and it was time to make the most of that dream. He had flown to Auckland together with his brothers. Together, they were travelling around one of the most beautiful countries in the world, where the Volvo Ocean Race also happened to be anchored.

Thanks to an acquaintance working for Brunel, he was allowed on board a Pro-Am race, a practice race for VIPs and sponsors as it were. And in return for sailing with them, he wanted to lend a hand.

Edgar happily filled the food bags and sealed the food packs for his ocean-bound heroes. In the background, the six racing yachts lay waiting for the toughest leg of the Volvo Ocean Race. There were fans everywhere, watching the crews at work, of which Edgar was now also part of the equation. Every now and then, he would stand in the sunshine and gaze around him, enjoying the people, the harbour and the sun. I've seldom seen anyone savour those few rays of sun on his face like Edgar did.

During the Pro-Am race, guests are invited to sail briefly on the 'out of your league' boat. The narrow harbour of Auckland guarantees a spectacle and it was indeed to be an exciting race between the six Volvo Ocean Race boats. In the end, Team Brunel gained the upper hand. Edgar steered his black and yellow boat over the finish line with a triumphant gesture. The massive grin was etched indelibly on his face. I've seldom seen anyone enjoy a race so much when the result didn't really matter.

Edgar was very good company. Humerous, mild-mannered and most of all, genuinely interested. I advise you all to go and enjoy a beer with him. You need to get a move on though, because Edgar is ill. Cancer. Life can be so unfair. He's been living in injury time for a few months now. But Edgar is concentrating on the remaining minutes of play, rather than what will happen after the match.

When we lost our fantastic advantage during the previous leg, I was pretty bad tempered, as were most of the Team Brunel men. On this leg, we once again soon lost our good lead. While being bitterly disappointed, I try to mimic Edgar's sense of enjoyment, of each ray of sunshine, a whale swimming past, the massive waves on which we're surfing or a penguin imitation by Rokas.

The men here at sea are 'merely' sailors. The heroes are the people who inspire us. See you in Scheveningen Edgar!

And I'll remember what you wrote on the coffee creamer carton.