Centimeter by centimeter, the Askoy II sailboat is coming to an end after more than 10 years of work. It is a mythical sailboat, which belonged to Jacques Brel. All those who participated in its reconstruction wanted to be there on this historic day, starting with the nephew of the singer. “It’s very moving, after all this time. It’s an extraordinary adventure and it’s a great tribute to Jacques“, says Bruno Brel.
Boat found on New Zealand beach
On board, the Belgian singer sailed to the Marquesas Islands. The sailboat will then pass through the hands of different owners before sinking in a storm and running aground on a beach in New Zealand. The sailboat, repatriated to Belgium in 2008, came back to life in a hangar in Zeebrugge (Belgium). “At first, no one believed it. We started something without knowing if it was going to succeed or not.explains Piet Wittevrongel of the foundation “Save Askoy II”. He and his brother knew the singer well from whom he bought the sails of the boat, a relationship of friendship followed.
