The pair will sail a Viper with Brouwer to steer and Jeroen acting as crew.
While Brouwer is looking forward to returning to competition in Texel and
the lead-up Dutch Open event which will be raced from Wednesday to Friday
this week, she admits it will be hard to be away from baby Kyle Nico while
out on the water.
"This is one of the first times away from him for more than a few hours so
it will be a bit weird'' she said.
"But he'll be my No.1 fan and will be waiting for me back in the boat park
with his grandmother who is visiting from Australia.
"It's a good incentive to do well so we get back fast.''
Kyle Nico, who already has his own trapeze harness, is the son of Brouwer
and multiple Olympic Tornado medallist Darren Bundock.
Brouwer and Van Leeuwen are considered among the leading contenders for the
prestigious overall handicap honours in Round Texel in their Viper.
"It's a great boat and I think it has a very good chance,'' Brouwer said.
The world body of sailing, ISAF, recently determined that a mixed catamaran
would be on the program for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Brouwer
previously sailed a Tornado catamaran and was the only woman to race the
class at the Beijing Olympics.
On Saturday Brouwer will be testing the waters for a possible campaign in a
mixed boat in Rio.
"I think with the mixed sailing for the Olympics it should be possible for
the woman to both steer and crew, which ever they find better for the
team,'' she said.
"I am steering here but I also often crew for Darren (Bundock) and it¹s
great fun.''
Brouwer and Van Leeuwen will test their new teaming on the Viper at the
Dutch Open, which begins, Wednesday 22nd of June.
The Round Texel race is the biggest catamaran race in the world and is
contested over a 60 nautical mile course made tactical by strong tidal
currents and variable winds.
For further information about the Viper please go to our website
www.2Bsailing.eu
-ENDS-
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