ZEGERS Afrodite

General
NEW PARTNER
In 2018 she began sailing with Lobke Berkhout, who had taken a break from sailing following the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Zegers' previous partner was Anneloes van Veen, with whom she finished fourth in the 470 class at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. "I've always dreamed of sailing with Lobke. She was the best crew member in the world. I have had a lot of contact with her in recent years [speaking in 2018], as a kind of a mentor. When my previous partnership stopped, I asked Lobke to take up the challenge. I am extremely happy that she said, 'Yes'." (teamnl.org, 09 May 2019; zeilen.nl, 24 Nov 2018)

FROM GREECE TO THE NETHERLANDS
Born in Athens, Greece, she moved to the Netherlands with her mother in 2010 after her parents divorced. She gained Dutch citizenship in 2013. "I put a lot of energy into becoming a Dutch citizen. Of course, I will always be that girl from Greece, but I did not feel at home in the Greek sailing environment." (ziltmagazine.com, 01 Feb 2014; watersportbank.nl, 23 Dec 2013)

MUSICIAN
In 2007 she graduated from the Conservatory of Athens in Greece. Although there was a chance of her becoming a concert pianist, she gave up the opportunity to fulfil her dream of competing in sailing at the Olympic Games. "Sailing gives you thick, stiff fingers, full of calluses. But if you really want to play the piano well, you need smooth and slender fingers. As soon as something becomes an obligation, it loses its charm. I have that with everything, including playing the piano. Only with sailing I don't have that. That's why I chose sailing." (LinkedIn profile, 01 Dec 2018; folia.nl, 09 Jul 2016; watersporters.nl, 25 Nov 2014; 470 Olympic Sailing Facebook page, 03 Mar 2014)