18 May 2006—Portsmouth,UK
From: ABN AMRO ONE QFB LEG SEVEN DAY 8
Sent: 18 May 2006 12:11
Today it is very hard to write, what a terrible, terrible 12 hours we have
just had. Hearing the news that Hans (Horrevoets) had gone over the side
and that one of our sailing team was in the water just gave you a very
sickening feeling, it is a sailor’s worst nightmare. Over the past two
years we have grown as a very big family at Team ABN AMRO, and those of
you out there that knew Hans will agree that he was just the most lovely
team player and family man, all we can do here is think of Petra his wife,
Bobbi his little girl and the rest of Hans’ family, who were so supportive
of him being in the race.
We have backed off another level, we have gone with a fractional gennaker
and a reef and we will just monitor the pace, for sure we need to be very
careful onboard as emotions are very close to the surface. I feel the
pressure more than ever to get the husbands, the dads, and the fiancés and
boyfriends in to their families in one piece, and that's all good for
Black Betty as well. We have to keep racing though, as otherwise all that
Hans has worked for over the last couple of years will be wasted, and we
know that he wouldn't want that.
It's not really possible to deal with it personally out here, so that will
have to wait a few days until we get in. We need to now get all the boats
safely tied up to the dock after these next few days of windy running, and
give ourselves time to grieve the loss of a very good friend.
Too Petra, Bobbi and all of Hans’ family, I can't say enough how very,
very sorry and sad we are, our thoughts and prayers go out too you.
Bye for now
Mike, Stan, Mark , Brad, Sidney, Tony, Rob, Dave, Justin and Jan
For media information on the Volvo Ocean Race, please contact:
Lizzie Green Press Officer at race headquarters:
Tel: +44 1489 554 832, Mob: +44 7801 185 320
Email: lizzie.green@volvooceanrace.org
Sophie Luther Press Assistant at race headquarters
Mob: +44 7956 285548 email: sophie.luther@volvooceanrace.org
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