Booth and Dercksen set-up separate Tornado teams

by Zwitserleven media on 18 Oct 2006
Mitch Booth and former crew Herbert Dercksen have set-up separate Tornado teams to challenge for the Netherlands Tornado spot at the Olympic Games in Bejing - Mitch Booth will sail with Pim Nieuwenhuis, while Herbert Dercksen teams up with new skipper Mischa Heemskerk.

Both Tornado equips form the Zwitserleven Sailing Plan until the end of the year. At the beginning of December, they will line up for the Tornado Worlds in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Zwitserleven will award the best top eight result of the two teams with a full sponsorship until the Olympic Games of Bejing.

After ten years of intensive co-operation and racing, Booth and Dercksen split up in July 2006. They found new teammates and are determined to carry on their Olympic Tornado campaigns.

Eliot Schuchart, Communication Manager of Zwitserleven: 'We are glad that Booth and Dercksen decided to continue cat sailing on the highest level, which safes their talent for the sport. At the Worlds in Argentina, they will battle against one another on the water. That is the place where will be decided who is going to be sponsored by us on the road to Bejing.'

The initiative of the Zwitserleven Sailing Plan till 31 December 2006, is financially supported and recognized by the Royal Netherlands Yachting Union.

'We will train hard to get used to each other as a team', said Booth, who received his Dutch citizenship for the Olympics in 2004. 'Prior to the Worlds, we will have a training session in Spain with Fernando Echavarri and Antón Paz, the current World Champions and ISAF Sailors of the Year 2005. We are going to participate at the Aruba Catamaran Regatta and half November we are flying to Argentina for the final preparations. The South American Tornado Championship is our first big event on Olympic level. I expect to be able to race for a podium finish at the Worlds.'

Booth grew up in Australia and during his career has won ten World and eight European titles. With a bronze medal in 1992 and a silver medal in 1996, there is only one color missing from his Olympic collection. He finished fifth in Athens, so his golden ambition is still strong.

Booth: 'Pim comes from the 49er and is fast, strong and athletic. He adjusts himself quickly to the Tornado, so I am very positive. It gives new energy and we are very happy with the support of Zwitserleven.'

In 1994 Pim Nieuwenhuis (29) started his Olympic career also in the Tornado. He was soon recruited by Roy Heiner as a talent for his big boat campaigns. After five years of yacht racing, Nieuwenhuis moved back to Olympic sailing, this time in the 49er. Just missing qualification for the Olympics in Athens, Nieuwenhuis is very determined to start working with Mitch Booth, as they both have a unfinished business.

Nieuwenhuis: 'The Tornado has always been in my interest and I look forward to competing with an experienced skipper as Mitch. My expectations are high.'