It has been three years to the day since Hans Horrevoets passed away and, in his honour, the Volvo Ocean Race organisers have launched an award to be presented to the event’s best rookie.
The Dutchman was washed over the side of ABN AMRO TWO during the last race. He had played a key role in ABN AMRO’s unique and ambitious project to help young talent break into the top level of offshore sailing.
He had previously sailed the event in the 1997-98 edition and then became an integral part of the ABN AMRO campaign, helping to oversee the extensive “talent contest” that whittled down 1,800 online applications to a handful of the most skilled young sailors from around the world.