Dirk has been sailing since the 1960’s, starting in dinghies and later, some ocean sailing on different sailing vessels. After numerous dead end jobs, at age 23, he went to university to study architecture, graduating six years later. He paid his way as a stoker on locomotives on the railways over weekends. Arriving in Australia in 1997, he changed careers, getting on the tools on all fours, installing floor heating. He has since decided what he wants to do – sailing and traveling, and Esprit is integral to that.
Annie’s life followed a similar trajectory but in a parallel universe for a time. She was a much better dinghy sailor, winning national titles and later, when crossing paths with Dirk, taught him to sail properly and even later, to master boardsailing. Realising that the attraction was more than physical, they started sailing together. Annie’s career path as a waitress, then an architect and later, a floor-heating saleswoman coincided happily with Dirk’s, leading to marriage and eventually, progeny.
Their daughter Karen took to sailing like a duck to water in an Optimist dinghy on the Swan River in Perth in 1997. She has since worked her way through various dinghy classes – F11, Spiral, Laser, 14’ Skiffs and match racing in keelboats. Karen’s medical skills come in handy with the difficult conditions on board, notably hangovers and aches and pains associated with the older crew.
Daughter Michelle has had a successful time in sailing thus far, having started with Karen in Optimists and moving up to larger dinghies. She then focused on high performance skiff sailing. She has represented Australia in the 29er and 49er FX classes in four world championships. Her understanding of weather patterns and strategy is a great asset on board Esprit, although she finds the boat’s performance and the older crew rather sedate.
