Dutchman Hans Horrevoets will join ABN Amro as a crew member aboard the VOR 70 ABN Amro Two. Hans will join fellow Dutchmen Gerd Jan Poortman and Simeon Tienpont on ABN Amro TWO, one of two boats that ABN Amro will be entering Volvo Ocean Race which starts on 12 November.

Hans, 31, from Terheijden, the Netherlands, is not new to the campaign – he was part of the judging panel who selected the ‘high potential’ sailors he will now be joining as part of crew Two. He also brings 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) onboard Brunel Sunergy and he has also competed in a number of other high profile races and regattas.

The Volvo Ocean Race, which starts in Vigo, Northern Spain on Saturday 12 November 2005 and finishes in Gothenburg in July 2006, is one of the world’s toughest sporting events. It is a gruelling nine-legged circumnavigation of the world and is the ultimate test of human spirit and endurance. Each of the sailors will push themselves mentally and physically to the limit as they race 32,000 nautical miles around the globe. The fleet will cover all five continents stopping in the following ports: Cape Town, Melbourne, Wellington, Rio, Baltimore, New York, Portsmouth and Rotterdam.

Horrevoets will be the fifth professional crew member on board ABN Amro Two and will join the other six ‘high potential’ sailors who each won their place through a unique international competition. All under 32, the crew of ABN Amro Two will be led by the French solo sailor, Sebastien Josse, who recently completed the single-handed round the world yacht race, the Vendee Globe. Horrevoets joins the team after two other crew members were forced to withdraw for personal reasons.

Horrevoets commented: “Having been involved with this project in the early stages I am absolutely delighted to now be joining Team ABN Amro as a sailor on board ABN Amro Two. I have watched as the team has developed and I cannot believe how quickly they have formed such a tight-knit and professional crew. I feel privileged to be joining them and I am greatly looking forward to getting involved as we work towards the start of this great race.”

Sebastien Josse, skipper commented: “Having met Hans some time ago and seeing what he could bring to the team I am very pleased that he is now joining us. Obviously we were all disappointed to lose crew members but we have to look to the start of the race and make sure we are ready for anything. I know that Hans will fit in very quickly to the programme and I look forward to sailing with him.”