International sailing talents from Poland and Spain added to Dutch Team JAJO
by Team JAJO 22 Dec 2022 07:59 PST
Skipper Jelmer van Beek selected the first international sailing talents for Team JAJO. He added Polish Maja Maja Micinska (21) and Simbad Quiroga (26) from Spain to the team of six Dutch sailors.
Each team in the Ocean Race VO65 Sprint Cup counts ten crew. Van Beek still has two more spots to fill. The On Board Reporter joining Team JAJO in the race is Brend Schuil from The Netherlands.
International talents Micinska (POL) and Quiroga (ESP) in Alicante
Team JAJO is currently in Alicante to train for the In-Port Race on the 8th of January and the start of the first leg to Cabo Verde on the 15th of January. They are trialing different team set ups to find the best crew for the first leg of the Ocean Race VO65 Sprint Cup. Skipper Van Beek plans to finalise the selection process for his team before Christmas. Last week two international sailors under 30 were added to the young and talented Team JAJO. The Polish Maja Micinska (21) and Simbad Quiroga (26) from Spain.
Maja Micinska (POL) is only 21, but leaves a big impression
The Polish Maja Micinska is the youngest sailor in the team at the moment, but the way she acts on board is very mature and leaves a big impression. Skipper van Beek states: "She really takes responsibility, she's very structured in her work and she's an amazing trimmer." In The Ocean Race Europe Micinska was part of the Sailing Poland crew, skippered by the Dutch around the world sailor Bouwe Bekking.
"For me it's a dream coming true," Maja reacts on being selected for Team JAJO. "It's always hard to describe and it's so different for all of us, but I'm just really excited! I just started the last year of my study when Jelmer messaged me. So I completely changed my course and hopped on a plane."
Simbad Quiroga (ESP) has an impressive track record in sailing
Raised on the Canary Islands as the son of a Whitbread Round the World sailor, for Simbad sailing plays an important role in his life since his childhood. His biggest dream is to follow in his dad's footsteps and sail around the world. His dad also taught him the importance of constantly improving athletic performance and mental resilience.
Van Beek about the new asset to the team: "The first time I crossed the Atlantic with Simbad was in 2019. I'm super happy we have him on board. He has a good feel for the boat and works really hard. He always finds stuff to do. His track record in sailing at his age is really impressive, he already crossed the Atlantic 11 times."
Team JAJO selection
1. Jelmer van Beek - NED - skipper
2. Max Deckers - NED - navigator
3. Bouwe Bekking - NED - watch leader
4. Rutger Vos - NED - boat captain
5. Laura Van Veen - NED - medic
6. Jorden van Rooijen - NED - bowman
7. Maja Micinska - POL - trim
8. Simbad Quiroga - ESP - trim/helmsman
Brend Schuil from The Netherlands as On Board Reporter
The On Board Reporter joining Team JAJO for the race is Brend Schuil from The Netherlands. Schuil was five years old when he started sailing on the Frisian lakes in the Northern part of The Netherlands. He is now 31 and never stopped sailing. He runs a video production company and works on projects in sports and events. Schuil was also involved as OBR in The Ocean Race Europe.
Van Beek is happy about having Schuil on board as OBR: "Brend is a brilliant cameraman and always full of creative ideas. One of the most important things to me as a skipper is an OBR who really adds something to the team. Brend comes up with light-hearted comments and also knows when to step back and let the team get on with sailing."