Haarlemmermeer is one of the major talent regions in North Holland and a breeding ground for talent and elite sports. Yet not all athletes reach the top, as they are hindered by financial and societal obstacles they encounter along the way. In collaboration with Topsport Haarlemmermeer, we aim to give promising athletes an extra boost through CTS GROUP Young Talents, the elite sports talent team of Haarlemmermeer!

Meet Keet, a passionate sailing talent from Haarlemmermeer and a member of the CTS GROUP Young Talents team. She combines her love for the water with school, work, and a healthy dose of perseverance.

From ILCA 4 to ILCA 6
Keet attends the Berlage Lyceum in Amsterdam, where she is in 5 VWO following the challenging Nature & Health and Nature & Technology profiles, supplemented with history and social sciences. In addition to school, she works at a gas station, and during the summer holidays she worked in beachside hospitality. “It’s a great combination, because I love being there.”

Although her days are quite full, sailing clearly comes first. “I switched from the ILCA 4 to the ILCA 6. The ILCA is an Olympic sailing class, where the numbers refer to the size of the sail. The ILCA 4 is for youth sailors, the ILCA 6 for women, and the ILCA 7 for men.”

Her transition comes after a successful European Championship, where she finished 14th in Europe in the ILCA 4. “That was my last event in that class. Moving to the ILCA 6 means I have to become physically stronger: the boat demands more power, especially in strong winds. Since I’m not very tall, that’s an important focus in my training. It makes it a great challenge.”

Training with dedication
An average training week is intense. “In spring, I train on the water on Friday afternoons, and during the weekend I’m usually training all day, sometimes two sessions a day. Since the summer, we’ve almost always had two sessions per day on weekends. In addition, we have physical training sessions such as hiking exercises, cycling, and strength training. In winter, we often train abroad. In Portugal for example, because the weather conditions are better there.”

Sailing requires not only physical strength, but also mental resilience. “During competitions, we often sail multiple races of 40 to 50 minutes per day. You spend a lot of time alone on the water and must stay focused at all times. Mistakes are punished immediately, and in light winds the waiting can be long. It demands a lot of discipline and patience.”

Part of a team
To further develop her sporting ambitions, Keet has joined the CTS GROUP Young Talents team. “Sailing is an expensive sport. Equipment, clothing, travel, and training come with significant costs. Through Young Talents I not only receive financial support, but also guidance in other areas. For example, I find the workshop on mental resilience and personal development very valuable.”

Dreaming of the Olympic Games
Keet looks back proudly on last season. “It had its ups and downs, but that 14th place at the European Championship felt like a great conclusion. The ILCA 6 is a fresh start, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Her ultimate dream? “To compete at the Olympic Games and bring home a medal. That would be amazing.”