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Ideal Platform for Activation and Talent Development
"I'm incredibly proud to have managed to buy the boat – I was never really done with the VO65," said Van Beek. "It’s an incredible yacht. You can race it hard and competitively, but it's also a fantastic platform to take others out to sea – even those without any sailing experience."

Van Beek has now sailed over 60,000 nautical miles on the VO65 – nearly three times the circumference of the Earth – and emphasizes that the boat will once again be available for race charters. “Both companies and young sailors will now have the opportunity to gain experience on one of the fastest and most reliable boats in its class. Over the past few years, people would often ask after my presentations whether the boat could be chartered, but since it was up for sale, that wasn’t easy. Now it finally is again.”

The boat is now entirely owned by 30-year-old Van Beek but will continue to sail under the name Team JAJO for the next three years. Thanks to an extended partnership with title sponsor JAJO, the well-known name lives on. “At the same time, there is room for new sponsors who want to be part of an ambitious program with international appeal and a strong focus on talent development,” says Van Beek.

Ivo van der Mark, CEO of JAJO, adds: “Over the past few years, we’ve had amazing adventures with the VO65, and we’re looking forward to what’s next. We’re proud to support Jelmer in his mission to give companies and young sailors valuable experiences while boosting visibility for the sport of sailing."

First Stop: SAIL Amsterdam
Team JAJO’s new journey will kick off with a high-profile appearance at SAIL Amsterdam 2025, where the team aims to bring the world of sailing closer to the public by opening the boat to visitors. “With Team JAJO, we’re fully committed to experience and visibility,” says Van Beek. “We’re launching this new phase at the Netherlands’ premier maritime event – that’s a fantastic start.”

For the VO65, this also marks a return to Amsterdam, where the boat made an appearance during the 2015 edition of SAIL under her former name, Team Brunel.

More Than Just a Race Boat
The VO65 of Team JAJO is a well-known name in the international sailing scene. It is regarded as one of the best-maintained and technically strongest boats in its class, having participated in three editions of The Ocean Race (formerly the Volvo Ocean Race).

“This boat is perfect for our mission,” says Van Beek. “Solid, reliable, fast, and multifunctional – ideal for high-level sports performance and corporate activation alike.”

Concrete plans for the next three years include participation in international races, a return to the Caribbean for JAJO, and record attempts – including a bid for the North Sea monohull crossing record from England to the Netherlands.

Ocean Race 2027 remains ambition
The acquisition of the VO65 does not mean Van Beek is putting his professional ambitions on hold. Quite the opposite. “I see this boat as a complement to my other roles – such as helmsman and watch leader on the 100-footer Black Jack. My main goal is still to compete in The Ocean Race 2027 in an IMOCA60. But even then, the VO65 remains a fantastic activation platform for partners and guests. Sailing with groups on an IMOCA is practically impossible – the VO65, on the contrary is ideal for it.”

Focus on Talent
"The acquisition also includes the transfer of Sailing Holland’s activities. Sailing Holland, which since 2013 under the leadership of Gideon Messink and Anita van Oeveren has been committed to Dutch ocean sailing – including two Team Brunel campaigns and, more recently, Team JAJO in the 2023 Sprint Cup."

Van Beek: “I’m incredibly grateful to Gideon and Anita for their dedication. They gave me my first chance to cross the ocean in 2019 – just as they did for many other young Dutch and international talents. I hope I can now offer the same opportunities to others through Team JAJO. If that happens, this project is already a success.”