Team VOLPE has introduced itself as a new participant in the prestigious Club Swan 50 (CS50) one-design class. The team consists of a dynamic group of owners and sponsors united by their shared passion for competitive sailing. Under the leadership of experienced crew boss and co-owner Gideon Messink, Team VOLPE will compete in Club Swan 50 events.

“We want to build a strong team and grow together,” Messink stated. “We are aware that the level in the Club Swan 50 class is exceptionally high and that many teams have been competing for years. I am convinced that Team VOLPE can realize its ambitions in the CS50 class.” Messink has previously established successful teams in the Volvo Ocean Race and the Swan 45 class.

New Team, New Challenges

Mede-eigenaar en stuurman Patrick Horst, die zijn sporen heeft verdiend in Scheveningen met een Dehler 44R en met een Swan 45 in de One Design-klasse, is enthousiast over de nieuwe uitdaging. “Ik ben klaar om samen met een gemotiveerd team van zeilers en ondernemers deze uitdaging tot een succes te maken. Wat mij aanspreekt in de Club Swan 50-klasse, is het One Design-concept, het zeilen op het hoogste niveau, de prachtige locaties en de toporganisatie achter de evenementen,” zegt

 Horst. “Daarnaast biedt het Swan 50-circuit een uitgelezen kans voor netwerken in de zakenwereld, een uniek platform waar zeilen en zakelijke relaties hand in hand gaan.”

Filip Beyens, co-owner of the team and originally from Belgium, adds: “My focus is primarily on navigation and the equipment on board. It’s a fantastic opportunity to expand my knowledge and collaborate with experienced sailors. After hard work, it’s also time to enjoy sailing, but always with the right focus and the ambition to perform.” Beyens has previously served as the technical shore manager for Team JAJO in the Ocean Race Sprint Cup, giving him valuable experience in the world of professional sailing competitions.
Piet Goevaerts, donor of Team VOLPE, is joining the team and is looking forward to sailing at a high level. “I love the water and have experience with cruising and racing in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. However, this is a step up for me, and I want to learn from the pros,” says Goevaerts. Also the Spanish Darren Sands of Sands Villas, co-sponsor, is enthusiastic about the challenge: “For me everything is new, but this is an opportunity that I cannot pass up. I see this as a unique opportunity to expand my network in a new market.”

Strong Crew Members Enhance the Team

The team is strengthened by Nicholas Heiner, an ambitious sailor who transitioned to larger boats after his participation in the Olympic Games. Alongside fellow CS50 teammate Jorden van Rooijen, he sailed several legs on the VO65 Team JAJO during the Ocean Race Sprint Cup in 2023. Jorden van Rooijen, a specialist in offshore sailing and match racing, also brings a wealth of experience, technical knowledge, and team spirit.

Bram van der Biest, a professional sailor and boat captain of Team VOLPE, is the second Belgian on the team. Van der Biest states: “We have a motivated team, and I look forward to working together to achieve the best results.”

About Team VOLPE

Team VOLPE is an enthusiastic group of sailors and entrepreneurs united with the ambition to reach the highest level of competitive sailing in the Club Swan 50 class. Led by Gideon Messink and equipped with a strong team of experienced sailors and professionals, Team VOLPE is ready to face the challenges that the Club Swan 50 class presents.