The nation with water and wind in its DNA has decided to join the spectacle on the water that is called the America's Cup, and rightly so!
It is about time this famous old seafaring nation lives up to its reputation of producing maritime talent by taking part in this prestigious sailing contest – you can imagine how excited I am!
After the Dutch challenge was accepted by New Zealand in December 2018, an important next step was made on Wednesday the 23rd of January by formally opening the Team Base in Scheveningen and the announcement of their new name, Team Dutch Sail.
I watched the first team members being presented to the press and guests, with skipper Simeon Tienpont (a double America’s Cup-winner with Oracle Team USA) heading the team, along with three time Olympian Carolijn Brouwer, Dirk Kramers (who has been involved in 11 America’s Cup campaigns over the years and has been on the winning side on no less than six occasions) and Peter van Niekerk (a double Olympian and two times America's Cup winner).
A timeline of key events for the next two years was also released together with more details about the Dutch campaign.
A cue for their campaign can be found in the Dutch (sailing) culture and spirit; bringing together the expertise and resources already existing in the Dutch world of sport, knowledge institutions, government and industry.
The pressure is on to find the starting line, but the Dutch lion’s ambitions are high and his mane is thick; be aware of the lion with flowing manes, it’s preparing to assert dominance…
The author, a proud (and excited) Dutchie.
@americascup @dutchsail