Team Childhood I to enter The Ocean Race Europe with star ensemble of pro-sailors and young talents
by Team Childhood I 21 Apr 2021 08:25 PDT
With a star ensemble of Dutch pro-sailors and young talents Team Childhood I will enter The Ocean Race Europe. The Swedish - Dutch joint venture sets sail to raise awareness for and keep children safe from violence and sexual abuse.
The team led by skipper Simeon Tienpont consist of experienced names like Gerd-Jan Poortman, Peter van Niekerk, Wouter Verbraak and former Olympian Pieter-Jan Postma. The aim of the campaign is to offer young talents the opportunity to learn the knowledge and skills at the highest level possible. One of the reasons for Janssen de Jong Groep and DutchSail to also commit to this campaign.
Swedish Dutch joint ventureSwedish Dutch joint venture
The campaign is a Swedish - Dutch joint venture whereby companies and organizations from both nations make it possible for the boat to sail around and draw attention to World Childhood foundation. Sailing Holland, owner of the VO65, is delighted with the cooperation.
Gideon Messink - Sailing Holland: "For the past two season we have sailed around with the VO65 for the benefit of World Childhood Foundation. It's fantastic that we can continue our collaboration through the support of many in the coming season. With the prologue and in particular The Ocean Race Europe as the absolute highlight. It is a great opportunity that provides talented youth to gain ocean experience from the best. There is a lot of talent in both Sweden and the Netherlands. Talent that we want to give a place on board to gain experience, especially with a view to The Ocean Race 2022-2023."
Messink continues: "That we have managed to put together a crew for The Ocean Race Europe with people such as Tienpont, Poortman, Verbraak and Van Niekerk, but also an experienced Olympian like Postma says enough. With the boat back in the water it is now up to the young talents to make the most of this unique opportunity and secure their own spot onboard."
- Simeon Tienpont: 3 x Volvo Ocean Race, 2 x Winner America's Cup
- Peter van Niekerk: 3 x Volvo Ocean Race, 2 x Winner America's Cup
- Gerd Jan Poortman: 3 x Volvo Ocean Race
- Wouter Verbraak: 3 x Volvo Ocean Race
- Pieter-Jan Postma: 3 x Olympic Games
Tienpont believes in collaboration and is looking forward to race again
Skipper Simeon Tienpont, one of the founders of DutchSail, is looking forward to race again. Tienpont: "The idea behind the campaign is the reason why I stepped in. I really believe in cooperation. That's the only way to be able to compete with the teams from abroad. The cooperation between the Swedish and Dutch sponsors is really of added value. And don't forget the collaboration between Sailing Holland and DutchSail."
"By bringing together our knowledge, expertise, and networks, we can compete at the highest level."
"Next to that, this relative short-term campaign is a wonderful opportunity to pass on our (Tienpont, Van Niekerk, Verbraak and Poortman red.) knowledge and experience to the next generation of Dutch, but hopefully also Swedish, sailors. And most important at the end of the day, we're all just sailors. Male and female, young and a little bit older, who just want to race and win."
Janssen de Jong and New Horizon become new main partners
Janssen de Jong Group is one of the top construction companies in the Netherlands and internationally active in the Caribbean and Poland. They join the family of main partners from Team Childhood I together with New Horizon.
Janssen de Jong Group CEO Ivo van der Mark: "We want to inspire a new generation with entrepreneurship, innovation, and guts. We want to show that dreams come true when you persevere and work together. We already do this in the youth foil project 69F with Team DutchSail - Janssen de Jong. By committing ourselves to this Ocean Race Europe campaign, we expect to be able to get even more out of the collaboration. The sailing sport fits perfectly with our vision of team building and achieving goals. It is a wonderful metaphor for our daily work and fits well with our employees, customers and other relations."
Family of partners
With DutchSail, Janssen de Jong Groep and New Horizon being add to Slättö and Neptunia the family of main partners now consists of five parties. In addition, the campaign consists of three suppliers: CodeZero, Brunel and EY.
The Swedish KSSS and Dutch RNYC (KNZ&RV) and RMYC (KRZV De Maas) are the involved yacht clubs.
World Childhood Foundation
Childhood I, will sail for the benefit of World Childhood Foundation founded by H.M. Queen Silva of Sweden. Childhood works to protect children from violence and sexual abuse. They initiate and support various types of initiatives, often in partnership with grassroots organizations and other networks, to develop innovative methods that help children and families in vulnerability.
"We're very grateful to our partner Slättö for giving us the opportunity to reach out with our message during The Ocean Race Europe. Childhood I will give us a chance to raise the awareness about sexual abuse of children and what we can do to help keep children safe. Through Childhood I we will also get a chance to broaden our network and reach more decision-makers in a whole new context", says Paula Guillet de Monthoux, secretary general of World Childhood Foundation.
More about the World Childhood Foundation: childhood.org