270 replies to this topic

[Nacho]

Guys, did you see the VS action for the last couple of hours?

Watch ABN2, seems like they have hit something at more thant 20 knots or encountered some type of problem. At about 1:40 their speed has fallen abruptly from about 22 knots to almost 0 knots in a wind of 25-30 knots. Since then their speed has remained in the low tens.

More interestingly is to see that Brunel seems to have slowed down just after ABN2, and altered course. ¿Are they going after ABN2? ¿Rescue or help operation?
Also, at about the same time, both Brasil1 and PoTC altered their course and started to go backwards, like if notified to go after ABN2, but then when Brunel changed course they kept on racing...


I hope nothing serious. As usual no info. from VOR site, and the update of data from boats stopped at 5:40. Strange!

[hiroller]

I agree, looks like something serious.
If you check the tracks of Brasil and POTC, they both head backwards towards AA2 for a while.
 VS060518.jpg   246.64K   1890 downloads

[snorky]

Becomes quite clear if you focus VS on the boat.. show it gybing like crazy.... , with the others zooming in to help.. ouch

[needforspeed]

Looks like Brunnel are heading over, both Brunnel and AA2 showing 8 knots speed exactly and yes the track to AA2 seems quite obvious

[Alden Bugly]

I'm looking only at spot readings, maybe the boat was headed way off course while riding a wave, but it sure looks like something is awry. Wind speeds for the whole fleet are over 20 knots from the west/south west and everyone is basically going east. Everyone except ABN Two and Brunel. ABN Two is headed south at four knots. Brunel is headed north east, a converging course, at eight knots. Still nothing at the Volvo site.

[Mid]

here



RIP

Thu, 18 May 2006 06:05:34 UTC

A crew member aboard ABN AMRO TWO, one of the yachts competing in the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06, died earlier this morning after failing to regain consciousness after being swept overboard from the boat.

The crew member has been named as Hans Horrevoets, 32, of The Netherlands.

ABN AMRO TWO was sailing in five metre seas and 30 knot winds about 1,300 miles from Land’s End, England when Horrevoets was washed overboard at 0211GMT. The crew of ABN AMRO TWO immediately turned the boat around, took the sails down and mounted a search and rescue effort. Horrevoets was located and lifted back on board.

However, despite the efforts of fellow crew members to resuscitate him, under the direction of medical advisors from Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, Horrevoets failed to regain consciousness.

Next of kin have been notified and more details will be released as soon as they become available.

[Novy]

This is very tragic. My feelings go out to his family and friends.

[Nacho]

I'm terribly sorry. What an awful news. I'm so sorry for his family and friends and the rest of the crew and fleet in the VOR. This is sure a terrible blow.

[snorky]

I'm terribly sorry. What an awful news. I'm so sorry for his family and friends and the rest of the crew and fleet in the VOR. This is sure a terrible blow.

WORD

[Alden Bugly]

I am crestfallen. Good night.

[Mid]

Hans Horrevoets

respect
mid

[Pikey]

jesus......i'm shocked

feelings go out to the rest of the crew and his family

[Guyzie]

Just run VS and wondered what was going on, then read this thread.
My thoughts go out to Hans Horrevoets' family, friends and his team.
Very sad news.
G

[paulus]

All of a sudden the positions seem irrelevant. Must be horrible to lose a crew member like that.
My thoughts go out to his loved ones and the crew.

[Presuming Ed]

Just awful - really feel for his family and friends and the team.

[chuso007]

Terrible news.

My condolences to family and friends.

[Grant]

I just heard the terrible news about Hans. My condolences to his family, friends and fellow crew members.
I am in shock.

Rest in Peace

Grant Geddes

Australia

[grandsoleil]

This is such awful news.

My condolences to family and friends and the crew of ABN2.

[Ulfur]

These are terrible news.

I feel for his famely and mates on the ABN Amro team

Ulfur

[Filthy]

Tragic. My condolences to all involved.

Some small comfort for the family that they recovered him so they can have a proper burial

[glug]

Agreed. Testiment to the crew that they got the boat turned aound and recovered him. No easy feat in 20knots. My condolences to the family and crew.

[Watergumby]

That is shocking news and I also offer my condolences to the family, his fellow crew members and all the other crews who must be really doing it hard now.

It makes you realize that these guys are so good at what they do that we tend to forget about the risks they take 24 hours a day on these boats. Then something like this happens and it hits home how dangerous this sport, and particularly this race, really is.



RIP Hans

[Across the Pond]

Tragic news indeed and my condolences go to his family, friends, crew mates and all at ABN Amro.

RIP.

[Gert]

Very shocking news.
We all know sailing, and particularly yacht racing, can be dangerous, but when accidents like this happen it still hits like a cold shower.
My condolences and heartfelt sympathies to his family, his friends, and the ABN2 crew who must be shattered right now.

[marian]

You can send a message to ABN Two http://team.abnamro..../show/id=102854

[Sumner]

This is very sad news indeed. Hans' family and friends, including the crew of ABN2, are in our thoughts.

[main man]

This is just so tragic. For those of us with freiends doing this race it makes you want to pick up the phone and give them all a call.

Codolences to Hans' family and everyone at ABN.

[H20]

Very sad news.
repects to the family and friends.

[lucas]

Wow, I was driving this morning and the first subject on the news was the VOR...

What a terrible loss and I am not sure I can start to understand what it must be like for his family and his friends including the guys on the boat.

[bonzai]

This is so sad. My condolances to the family, friends and the rest of the crew.

[indicative]

I read this earlier on and thought nothing of it, but g that is a bit of a shock..

Sympathies to family, friends and followers

[Danno]

That's terrible news,

My condolances to all those on ABN2, Family and the ABN team.

RIP

Dan

[siler]

random101, at this moment your "PIC's or it didn't happen" sucks...

[Tactician]

Very sorry to hear this, it's tragic. I don't know him personally, but my thoughts go to his friends and family.

[indicative]

random101, at this moment your "PIC's or it didn't happen" sucks...

Yeah it did cross my mind... (being inappropriate)

[wesselcolsen]

http://team.abnamro..../show/id=103191

Hans Horrevoets Q&A

1. Wat zijn de grootste gevaren onderweg?

Met de Brunel zijn we een keer op een walvis gevaren en dat acht ik, met kleine ijsbergen die je niet op de radar ziet, één van de gevaren. En van de boot vallen, dat zie ik eigenlijk als het grootste gevaar.

A friend just pointed this out to me, it seems so crude now


Translation:

"What are the biggest dangers while underway?"

"With the Brunel we hit a wale once and that I think, as well as little icebergs you can't see on radar, those are some of the dangers. And falling of the boat, that I see as the biggest danger."




He was really young and one of the NL's finest sailors. My thoughts are with his young family...

r.i.p. hans!

[Jem]

tragic news - so very sorry for everyone involved in the campaigns and his family

Jem

[China Coast Racer]

Rum and Coke raised in respect in YC bars round the world tonight.

[gusmus]

Tragedy

Jeez. You would think that the AMRO page would have the decency to take their friggin propoganda off of the bottom of the news article.

Hard on the wind and surge,
over mountains of grey,
flying, soaring,
on my fragile island,
in this sea of eternity.

Adios Hans. You'll be sorely missed.

[Bandersnatch]

Puts the whole thing in perspective.

My condolances to everyone involved especially his family.

[Bullfrog]

I just can't believe it.

We all know ocean racing is dangerous, but this isn't ment to happen in this day and age.

This is a tragedy, what more can you say.

RIP Hans

[euro]

Am shocked to the core reading about this just now... My thoughts go out to his wife and daughter, family and team mates and wish them strength in coming to terms with this incredibly sad loss...

[ET1]

What did they call it? Live at the EXTREME!!!
That means it´s like climbing on 8000 m peaks without oxygen or formula one racing. All this is deadly dangerous and when you start doing it you know that every once in a while someone is gonna loose his life.
You may call it "Part of the Game", and everybody who´s doing it and everybody who´s watching gets his kicks out of all that.
Look at us here. on ERC the canting keel fails to do its work completly in 30 knots of wind; the bomb doors fall of and the boat starts to sink, the mast breaks down, all that in heavy weather. What is the reaction? "Very interesting, very exiting, all went well, keep going". Then suddenly it doesn´t come out that way and somebody dies and everyone is shocked. BUT: The Race Must Go on.
In my opinion this is a little weird. Of course, this is a personal tragedy for all who are near to Hans Horroeveds,
But shocked -NO.
I am a great fan of motorracing for more than 30 years now. In the beginning I nearly cried when one of my heroes died - and there died many of them. Then I two things happened: The cars became safer and safer and nobody clearly realized that these guys were still sitting in a fast rolling coffin waiting for some moment when someones comes along to close the lid. For years nothing serious happend. They hit walls at over 300 km/h, just like that. Then suddenly on one weekend the biggest of all heroes Ayrton Senna died and one day before him a young Austrian. Everybody was shocked. Why?
Because we thought that they had become unbreakable.
It´s the same with this race. Look at it´s history. In the beginning people fell over board and in nearly every race somebody died. Then the professionals came and with them the victims went off and everyone turned to thinking that this sport was safe. It ain´t!!! This is still a sport at extremely high risks and everyone should be aware of it.
Despite all that- this really is a very sad, but tragic in the real meaning of the word- inevitable whatever you do- it is not.

[Mid]

Horrevoets was washed overboard at 0211 GMT.

mid

[maxluff]

My heart goes out at the news of this horrible incident...

[CH2]

I check the VOR site a couple of times a day, and am constantly in awe of these guys. Reminded of just how dangerous this sport is, now I have even more respect.

I'll be sparing a thought for his 11-month old daughter who wont get to go sailing with her daddy.

[Gert]

ET1, I think your post is absolute crap and inappropriate.
Of course we know ocean sailing can be dangereous, especially on these type of yachts, but us, fans, follow the race for it's sports value, not to witness accidents.
Most of us here are sailors ourselves, and I think it is very natural to express our shock about what happened last night on ABN2.

[2XD]

this guy did what most dream of and he died doing what he loved, hope is in sailing heaven now.

Thoughts go to his loved ones

[fiver_24]

My thoughts go out to his family, friends and the crew. It is always horrible to lose a member of the sailing world.

Rest in peace Hans.

[Arthur Peltzer]

Here is an article about Hans jumping after one of his own crew members that went overboard during a race on the North Sea. In the article he talks about the risk of falling overboard in cold water.

http://www.clubracer...tional&nid=368/

R.I.P. Hans

[marian]

Then suddenly it doesn´t come out that way and somebody dies and everyone is shocked. BUT: The Race Must Go on.

I think it would be better for all the crews if racing was suspended for this leg, I'm sure no one feels very competitive right now.

[williwaw]

 Hans.jpg   111.33K   314 downloadsTragic

Our thoughts go out to his wife and daughter and family

[woof]

hmm Marian
I don't know the bloke, but if it was me, I'd want them to race on, harder, fucking harder
(obviously not to get hurt - but to keep it going - otherwise - why???)
ww

ps - thanks williwaw - I for one am feeling quite gutted already

[Left Coast]

R.I.P. Hans

[siler]

Tragic ... I also just found out that his wife is pregnant of their second child as well ... tragic.

[Terrafirma]

Very Very Sad. Tragic. He was very experienced.

Hans Horrevoets


Helmsman Trimmer
Country: The Netherlands
Born: 26 April 1974

Hans Horrevoets is not new to the TEAM ABN AMRO campaign; he was part of the judging panel who selected the ‘high potential’ sailors for the crew TWO. He is the fifth professional crew member on board ABN AMRO TWO and has joined the other six ‘high potential’ sailors who he helped to chose earlier this year. Hans is a strength to the TEAM after two other crew members were forced to withdraw for personal reasons.

He is bringing with him a wealth of experience including participating in the 1997-1998 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race (formerly the Whitbread Round the World Race) on board Brunel Sunergy. He has also competed in a number of other high profile races and regattas.

Hans is now the oldest crew member on ABN AMRO TWO and the only one who has a partner and a kid; an 11-month old daughter.

Hans' stats:


December 2004 – March 2005
- Project TEAM ABN AMRO in the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006 Judge in the crew selections for the “High Potentials” crew


2004
- Grand Soleil 44 Race Holmatro; skipper / tactitian; winner Gotland Runt, winner Channel Race, best boat out of fleet Commodores Cup, winner Cowes Week Swan 56 Aqua Equinox; trimmer


2003
Swan 56 Aqua Equinox; coach; winner European Championships Grand Soleil 44 Race Holmatro; skipper / tactician ; winner Cowes Week & Fastnet Bols Maxi; helmsman / trimmer


2002
Swan 56 Aqua Equinox; coach / trimmer Grand Soleil 40 Race Satori; skipper Copa del Rey on board of IMX40 Xiphias; trimmer


2001
Swan 56 Aqua Equinox; coach / trimmer Grand Soleil 40 Race Satori; skipper Caribbean Circuit on board of Swan60 Sotto Voce ; trimmer Students Worlds on board of Beneteau Figaro; tactician; European Champion


2000
Belgium Volvo Campaign on board of the Yess; skipper


1999
Belgium Volvo Campaign on board of the Yess; co-skipper


1997 / 1998
Whitbread Around the World Race on board of BrunelSunergy; trimmer and sail maker


1996
Mumm36 European Circuit Preparation for Whitbread Around the World Race 1997/1998


1995
Mumm36 European Circuit (with Roy Heiner) Match Racing (with Roy Heiner)


For questions and answers with Hans in English, go here.

For questions and answers with Hans in Dutch , go here.

For the Dutch resume of Hans, go here.

[cms]

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

[Opponentti]

In this tragic moment I would tend to agree with Marian.

The whole quest for more and more speed seems even more ridigilous now.

Of course it is easy to get carried away with the thrill and exitement, and we should have seen this comeing, but still. No race, no developent in yacht design is worth the life of a young father.

But then again, the show will go on. I bet HH would have wanted it that way. I am sure, I would - it is the feelings of his family that would be worried about.

Life is short, and then you die.

I wish all the best for Hans's wife and childrens.

[ISpyToo]

A tragedy to loose one of our own. Stunned.

my thoughts are with hans' family and friends.

and my thougths also to all the boys on ABN2, come home safely.

[Wavedancer]

Condolences to his family, friends and crew.

[Horuk]

My dearest thoughts to Hans' family and friends

a terrible tragedy...

[Bonamar]

A tragedy. RIP Hans and my thoughts to the family, friends and team members.

[Bill E Goat]

The wrong thing, but to lose your life doing something you love is small consolation. Worse still for his family waiting at the other end and a wake up call for all the others still out there and families at home.

We should also remember all people that loose their lives doing their job, whatever it may be.

Worth noting all the boats able ie Pirates, Movistar, Brunel, & Brasil all turned immediately toward ABN2

[Phil]

Thoughts go to his wife and daughter..

[skint-again]

Terrible news, as many have said he died doing something that he loved which is what most of us would hope for ourselves when it is our turn, unfortunately whilst that helps most of us reconcile his loss it can only be but a minor consolation for his friends and family.

[redboat]

Hollowed and devastated by the news.

Words are absolutely meaningless and made even more so by the information about the family he leaves.

Peace

[n4s]

Shocking news, and within cooee of the finish as well. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

[marian]

Terrible news, as many have said he died doing something that he loved which is what most of us would hope for ourselves when it is our turn, unfortunately whilst that helps most of us reconcile his loss it can only be but a minor consolation for his friends and family.

It may be more comfort to the family than you think. I knew a man who died during a water skiing slalom. Later his wife told me that her greatest comfort was knowing that he died doing something he loved.

[sailormooon]

My condolences to the family, friends and crew mates.

[suider]

You can send a message to ABN Two http://team.abnamro..../show/id=102854

really just wanted to bump marian's link up again... the aa2 boys (i'm sure) could use the support now...

sail on, hans...

/c

[Mid]

in the water for a little over an hour ,
unconsious when recovered

Glenn Bourke BBC TV

[justonemoreboatplease]

What can you say… I did not know the man, but wish his friends and family peace at this sad time.

Reminds us all that every time we go offshore we are not far from our maker.

RIP

[Dijker]

Thoughts go to family, especially his wife and daughter, and the team. The crew must be devastated

[Mid]

Thu, 18 May 2006 10:30:00 UTC

Following the tragic death of Hans Horrevoets from ABN AMRO TWO, the fleet has settled back on course to the finish which is just about 1,000 nautical miles ahead of the leader. If the conditions stay as forecast, the front runners could be in the Channel early on Sunday morning (GMT).

Overnight, when ABN AMRO TWO reported their man overboard, Brunel, movistar, Pirates and Brasil 1 initially diverted towards the emergency just after 0255GMT, but as the boat closest and most likely to be able to assist was Brunel, the other three resumed their courses towards the east at 0400GMT.

ABN AMRO ONE continues to lead the fleet from Ericsson, these two boats sailing virtually due east in winds of up to 30 knots, the leading boats running at speeds between 20 and 25 knots.

Behind the two leaders, Pirates and Brasil 1 are slightly to the north of the leaders and currently are sailing in stronger winds of over 29 knots.

movistar has suffered some mainsail damage and is sailing under trysail as well as storm jib and a reaching headsail. Brunel is sailing at ten knots, heading north east.

Positions at 1000GMT were: ABN AMRO ONE leading from Ericsson by 113 miles, followed by Pirates of the Caribbean who are now 181 miles behind, with Brasil 1 another 13 miles astern. ABN AMRO TWO are sailing slowly, 278 miles behind their sister yacht. Brunel is 300 miles from the lead and movistar 312.

The following email from Bouwe Bekking, skipper of movistar encapsulates the feelings of the fleet, “Our feelings go out to the family of Hans, the crew of ABN AMRO TWO and all the other ABN AMRO team members. It doesn't make sense to write a daily report on such a sad day, but just to let you know we are hanging in.”

volvooceanrace

[LoopyGirdleSniffer]

I'd rather be the ship that sails
And rides the billow wide and free
Than be the ship that always fails
To leave it's port and go to sea!

I'd rather feel the sting of strife
Where gales are born and tempests roar
Than settle down to useless life
And rot in dry dock on the shore

I'd rather fight some might wave
With honour in supreme command
And fill a last well earneed grave
than die at ease upon the sand

I'd rather drive where storm winds blow
And be the ship that always failed
To make the ports where it would to
Than be the ship that never sails!!

----B. Hancock

==========================================

My respect and thoughts to all!!!

[Lost in Translation]

As everyone else was, I too was shocked to read the news this morning. Perhaps this thread can grow and be sent to his family?

[Stu09]

From me & all our members at Volvo Ocean Race Talk we would like to share our condolences to Hans' family and friends.

[robert pronk]

From me & all our members at Volvo Ocean Race Talk we would like to share our condolences to Hans' family and friends.

Tragedy on ABN AMRO TWO - Rijkman Groenink message

This message has been sent to all ABN AMRO staff worldwide

Amsterdam, 18 May 2006

Dear colleagues,

This is the message I hoped I would never have to send.

It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that last night a crew member of ABN AMRO TWO, Hans Horrevoets, was killed in an accident as the boat made its way to Portsmouth.

Hans was swept overboard early this morning, as his boat battled its way through five metre seas and 30 knot winds, still about 2,000 kilometres from land. His fellow crew members immediately turned around and began to search for him, meanwhile raising the alarm on shore. In the most difficult of conditions, unimaginable for most of us, they succeeded in finding Hans. He was lifted back on board, and attempts were made to resuscitate him – but these were not successful.

Hans was one of five professional sailors on board ABN AMRO TWO. His wealth of experience earned him a place not only on the boat, but also on the judging panel that selected the six ‘high potential’ sailors that made up the rest of the team. We can only imagine what emotions they must be feeling this morning.

Over the past year and a half, from preparation to where we are now, TEAM ABN AMRO has become an integral part of the ABN AMRO family. We shared in the excitement leading up to the race and celebrated our achievements since the race began. Now, in this tragic moment, we feel the loss of a family member.

Our thoughts at this time are with Hans’ family, especially his partner and their young daughter, and also with his fellow crew members.

Regards,

Rijkman Groenink
Chairman of the Managing Board





News

Gallery

Competitions

Events

Contacts

[captanarchy560]

may fair winds a following seas allways be gifted to you.

RIP Hans

[robert pronk]

From me & all our members at Volvo Ocean Race Talk we would like to share our condolences to Hans' family and friends.

Hans Horrevoets, a crew member aboard ABN AMRO TWO, one of the two ABN AMRO yachts competing in the Volvo Ocean Race 2005 – 2006, died earlier this morning after being swept overboard from the boat.



ABN AMRO TWO was sailing downwind in 25 – 30 knots of wind under main, fractional spinnaker and staysail. Seb Josse, Skipper of ABN AMRO TWO was at the helm, Hans, 32 of the Netherlands was trimming the spinnaker sheet, Nick Bice, Andrew Lewis and Lucas Brun were also on deck. The boat nosedived down a wave and water came washing back down the deck, when the water cleared Hans was no longer on deck.



ABN AMRO TWO Navigator Simon Fisher explained the incident, “Immediately Seb hailed a ‘man overboard’ and we initiated man overboard procedures and put in place the GPS positioning. The boat immediately turned around and began to search for him, meanwhile raising the alarm on shore. After Hans was found he was lifted back on board and the Accident and Emergency(A&E) department at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK was notified that we had a major medical emergency and to stand by. Unfortunaly our attempts to resuscitate him were not successful."



ABN AMRO TWO Skipper Sebastien Josse said, “We are all devastated by the events that took place this morning and all our thoughts are for Hans’ family. Throughout the whole MOB (man overboard) procedure the whole crew handled themselves calmly, professionally and with the utmost maturity. It is with deep regret that we were unable to resuscitate Hans.”



Jan Berent Heukensfeldt Jansen, Managing Director of TEAM ABN AMRO said, “We are all shocked and devastated by this terrible news and our thoughts now are very much with Hans’ family. We are all aware of the risks that sailors face but nothing can prepare you for this kind of tragedy. My thoughts are also with the crew who I understand behaved in the most professional manner and reacted immediately and I wish them a safe passage home.”



Glenn Bourke, Chief Executive Volvo Ocean Race said, “All of us at the Volvo Ocean Race are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of ABN AMRO TWO crew member Hans Horrevoets. At this time our thoughts are with Hans’ family and friends, his fellow crew members and all the members of TEAM ABN AMRO. Ocean racing carries inherent risks and we do our utmost to minimize those risks with the mandatory safety equipment we have on board. However, when an accident like this occurs it is a shock to everyone associated with the race. The Volvo Ocean Race family is a close-knit community and we will all lend whatever support is needed at this tragic time.”



The crew are no longer in racing mode but are making their way to Portsmouth as quickly as possible and will make a decision on further participation in the race during the Portsmouth stopover.



If you use this photo or content please add the TEAM URL: www.abnamro.com/team

[MR.CLEAN]

Our thoughts go out to Hans friends and family. His belly laughs when I met him a few weeks ago were honest and loud enough to fill the restaurant.

Our thoughts go out to his crew, more than a family over these past months. Stay strong.

[J Buoy]

What terrible and traic news this is. Thoughts are with his young family and team mates who have to soldier on now. RIP Hans.

[Marty]

This is a tradegy for all. My sympathy to his family, his ABN family and his many friends. I wish safe passage to all the other Volvo racers.

[MxThomas]

Team ABN AMRO's server is failing to handle all the condolences. Sympathy is tremendous and I would like to add my bit to it.

My thought with the crew one short, the wife who's worst fears must have come true and to his kid too young to understand.

He died for his passion, may he rest in peace and may his familiy find peace again soon.

[Lonnie Bruner]

My god, I feel like someone just punched me in the gut. So sad. His poor family.

This may be a stupid question, or inappropriate, but I do wonder whether he was wearing his PFD.

[Riding Point]

Very sad. My thoughts to those who knew him.

-Dave Brown

[JaapvR]

My god, I feel like someone just punched me in the gut. So sad. His poor family.

This may be a stupid question, or inappropriate, but I do wonder whether he was wearing his PFD.

Bet he was, for surviving an hour (part of it unconcious) in those waters... Sure he was, since he was pretty safety-concious. Still so many questions left though, but do the answers really matter?

I have huge respect for the crew to find him in the dark, with huge seas and spraying 20 kts. That's a bigger effort then any 24hr record they can set...
Deep sympathy goes out to family, friends, teammates, vor-crews and sailors in the broadest sense around the world. Everything the sea can give us seems so small when she shows how easily she takes...

[Y. S. Yodel]

This may be a stupid question, or inappropriate, but I do wonder whether he was wearing his PFD.

Bet he was, for surviving an hour (part of it unconcious) in those waters... Sure he was, since he was pretty safety-concious. Still so many questions left though, but do the answers really matter?

Absolute bastard thing to happen - really feel for the family, mates and the team.

Surely the answers matter? Won't his death be even more of a waste if nothing is learnt?

My question - did his harness or teather break? Middle of the night, 30kts TWS and 5m seas - please don't let's find out that he wasn't tethered.

[Mid]

TEAM ABN AMRO is in deep mourning over the death of Hans Horrevoets.

Rijkman Groenink, Chairman of the Managing Board of ABN AMRO expressed his condolences:

"The news of Hans Horrevoets' death left us deeply shocked. Over the past year and a half, from preparation to where we are now, TEAM ABN AMRO has become an integral part of the ABN AMRO family. We shared in the excitement leading up to the race and celebrated our achievements since the race began. Now, in this tragic moment, we feel the loss of a family member.

Our thoughts at this time are with Hans’ family, especially his partner and their young daughter, and also with his fellow crew members."

To send your message, just click here.

[onebear]

I have an unexplainable respect for those who die in the quest of achievement.

My thoughts go out to the family, friends and team mates of Hans, and of course to the entire VOR family.

Hans, the entire sailing community is thinking of you, we are in awe of your achievements. RIP

[C&C 115]

I check the VOR site a couple of times a day, and am constantly in awe of these guys. Reminded of just how dangerous this sport is, now I have even more respect.

I'll be sparing a thought for his 11-month old daughter who wont get to go sailing with her daddy.

That's the first I've heard of that, it makes it soo much worse.

It may be too early to ask this, but aren't they teathered onto jacklines (or the VOR equiv)?

I can honestly say that in 17 foot sees and 30 knots of wind I don't think I would have a good shot at recovering somebody. It seems almost impossible to get him back on board even if they could find him. They are awesome sailors.

As for ET1 - they're sailors not bull fighters!

I can't imagine what the family is going through.

[batten]

I'm completely gutted. I left my condolences on the ABN site but somehow a few paltry words about how sorry I am for the loss of Hans H. just don't seem to be enough. It's some small consolation that he died doing what he loved.

[vsecret]

Tragic ... I also just found out that his wife is pregnant of their second child as well ... tragic.

can this get any worse..... ?

[Cement_Shoes]

I just signed on and am seeing the news. I think that we sometimes forget what heroes these men and women are.

I read about their exploits and see the clips and am awed about what they are doing and tinged with a bit of jealousy as I sit at my desk. But, I forget that they put their bodies and ultimately lives on the line every time the cast off the docklines.

Safety becomes a relative term. You set your limit and push right up to it and often beyond putting your faith in your yacht and your teammates.

The professional experienced crew of ABN AMRO TWO, of which Hans Horrevoets was a member are even more so heroes. Rather than join a team comprised of fellow experienced professionals, they chose to help train the next generation. Helping to put together a team that has been competitive on every leg and has a world record to their credit.

While I toast the memory of Hans as a hero, I mourn the loss of him as a fellow sailor. My condolances to those family, friends and teammates that he leaves behind. May you all find the peace that Hans Horrevoets surely has.

[eclipse5499]

[Carbon]

My heart is broken thinking about his daughter and partner losing him. Tragedy is a euphemism for the kind of loss they are experiencing.

Carbon

[vsecret]

Published: 13:54 18.05.2006 GMT+2 /HUGIN /Source: Ericsson Racing Team /SSE: ERICR /ISIN: SE0000108656

A sad day on the Atlantic

Ericsson Racing Team
Daily Update
18 May 2006

It's a sad day for the Volvo Ocean Race teams today after the tragic death of a fellow competitor last night. As they battle towards Portsmouth in treacherous seas, with gusts of up to 50 knots forecast, the race could not be further from their minds.


A crewmember aboard ABN Amro Two died earlier this morning having failed to regain consciousness after being swept overboard. The Ericsson Racing Team's thoughts are with his family and friends, his fellow crewmembers and the ABN Amro team. The sailors on Ericsson have learnt of the tragedy and are all heartbroken. They wrote in a brief email from the boat today that they will race on in his honour.

The fleet is currently sailing in 25-30 knots of wind and conditions are expected to deteriorate, baring similarities to the Southern Ocean. There are likely to be gale force conditions at times tonight, continuing through Friday with 35-40 knots of wind expected. The crews will have to contend with fronts and squalls and are likely to see gusts reaching 50 knots at times; possibly more.

[marian]

The America's Cup people are mourning Hans. This is Mascalzone Latino's flag.