The Trailblazer

While South Africa is sweating in front of the braai, much of our northern neighbours are knee-deep in Snowmaggedon, unable to leave their house and eager for the Olympics to start. Though Snowmaggedon is not barring our movements, there is a great reason to leave the braai sizzling on its own for a bit. Why? Because this Saturday 13th of Feb US speed skater Shani Davis is skating the big opening game at the Olympic skating tournament, the 5.000meter monster match!

It will be a battle of giants with Shani Davis, reigning Olympic champion, multiple 1.000 and 1.500m World Cup champion and World Sprint Champion, beaming over the ice fighting Sven Kramer, current Dutch, European and World All Round Champion speed skating. A thrilling test of strength, speed and mentality.

Check out a great portrait of Shani Davis by the New york Times. 'He won’t train with his teammates. He cultivates slights more than his public image. He doesn’t care about money. And that may be why Shani Davis is the best speed skater in the world.'

Since December 2009, BKB is the proud sponsor of Shani Davis, a childhood dream come true. Shani Davis, tipped to win multiple medals at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, and BKB make a perfect partnership. ‘Davis is an extremely committed and talented sportsman, a unique and powerful personality in the world of speed skating,’ says BKB director Alex Klusman. BKB feels strongly connected to Davis’s unconventional style both on and off the track. ‘Shani follows his own unique path, he is authentic and progressive, and an inspiring example to us all,’ Klusman adds.

It is the first time BKB sponsors sporting activity. BKB’s sponsorship of Shani Davis fits neatly in the company’s philosophy to connect different worlds together. ‘BKB has an extensive network in politics, society, music, culture and literature. By sponsoring Davis we can now also connect to the world of sports,’ says BKB director Erik van Bruggen.

But in the first place the BKB-Shani sponsorship deal fulfils an old wish of the company. ‘Ever since the rise of Eric Heiden we have been glued to our TV sets in the skating season. Sponsoring Shani makes one of our childhood dreams come true. We wish Shani an extremely successful skating season,’ say directors Alex Klusman and Erik van Bruggen.