W70 world champ Annelies Steekelenburg homeless from Malibu fire but not friendless

Annelies is an accomplished javelin thrower as well as high jumper, who proudly wears Dutch orange.Annelies is a steller javelin thrower as well as high jumper, who proudly wears Dutch orange. Photo by Ken Stone

Lady Gaga fled. So did Miley Cyrus, Neil Young and Robin Thicke. But I’m not worried about their fate from the devastating Woolsey Fire that razed parts of Malibu. I’m stunned how masters royalty has been victimized.

Peter Hlavin (right) has launched a fund-raising drive for his fellow world champ.

Peter Hlavin (right) has launched a fund-raising drive for his fellow world champ.

Malaga M60 champion Peter Hlavin shares the sad news that his high jump friend — and Malaga W70 gold medalist — Annelies Steekelenburg lost almost all her possessions. She rented a home in Malibu.

“Annelies is safe, having evacuated with car, computer, some clothes, a few of her personal paintings and — high jump shoes,” Peter writes. “For the past 18 years, she had been renting the first floor of a modest home in the foothill canyon area of Malibu. She did not have renters insurance. One of her massage therapy practice clients (husband/wife family) is helping with temporary accommodations.”

Peter says he reached out to his greater high jump community last weekend to get the ball rolling on a support fund campaign for Annelies. He got $3,300 in verbal commitments within 48 hours, all from high jumpers. The goal is $10,000. See below for additional details.

“Annelies lost her high jump crossbar in the blaze,” Peter adds. “At the [Southern California] Striders banquet this past weekend, I presented Annelies my three-piece Gill high jump bar as a replacement bar. She loved it.”

I’ve known Annelies for many years. She was a protégé of the late, great Nick Newton and a perennial national-record setter for her native Netherlands. She’s fierce on the HJ apron (don’t you DARE move her mark!) but super warm and friendly off the field.

Please join me in making a donation to the Annelies Steekelenburg support fund.

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About the Author

Ken Stone
Ken has followed track as an athlete, writer and webmaster since the late 1960s, and saw most sessions of track and field at the 1984 Los Angeles and 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He also attended the 1988, 1992, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 Trials. He worked for 10 newspapers and now reports for Times of San Diego. Write him at TrackCEO@aol.com or kens@timesofandiego.com. Story tips always welcome!

2 Comments on "W70 world champ Annelies Steekelenburg homeless from Malibu fire but not friendless"

  1. What a sad news Annelies. Difficult to accept, I think, but you are a strong person.

  2. Steve Wennerstrom | November 20, 2018 at 8:15 am | Reply

    Just saw Annelies interviewed on the KTLA Morning News 5 in Los Angeles by Eric Stillman. She was upbeat, and when Stillman asked her if she would come back to Malibu, after losing so much, she said with strength in her voice, “Of course I’ll be back”.
    God bless her.

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