Dries Jacobs

In 1980, this creative fellow came into the world in Bruges. Soon enough the Jacobs’ residence became to small for the juvenile temperament of little Dries. He wandered down the street looking for adventure. Around that time the quiet town of Jabbeke became a mysterious place.

The Saint Franciscus Xaverius Institute in Bruges was no school for someone with a strong personality, a will of his own and a limitless need for freedom. A black page is his book of life, as he himself so vividly describes. Still, it didn’t stop him from going to college. First he obtained a degree in journalism, later on he graduated as a translator English and Spanish. In his young life he already travelled a lot. From Croatia to Brazil, from Danmark to Turkey. He even studied in Spain for a year.

What do you do when you graduate? Follow your dreams and passion. He surfed on the internet and a few weeks later he was on the plane. Destination: Michigan, USA. First he worked for a smalltime musher  but very soon he was noticed by Lloyd Gilbertson, a champion in mid distance races. Through hard work and common sense he earned a lot of respect in the mushing world. He joined Lloyd on his trip to Yellowknife, Canada where he was part of the winning team in the Diavik 150, also known as “The Open Canadian Championships”.

After a short break in Belgium, he and Sam travelled to Italy to work for a mushing school. It became very clear to them right away that you have cross the Atlantic if you want to learn how to mush. No worries, Dries surfed on the internet and ended up with the Seavey’s. The rest is old news.

He has a good sense of humour, is very skillful and has a clear and humble view on things.