Fellow skippers and friends have paid tribute to Volvo Ocean Race competitor Hans Horrevoets, who died at sea on Thursday. The 32-year-old Dutchman, who was swept overboard from ABN AMRO TWO, was described by friend Riath Al-Samarrai as ‘never anything less than enthusiastic and happy.’ In a tribute on the Volvo Ocean Race website, Al-Samarrai said Horrevoets could be found laughing in the bar or with family, friends and crewmates even when performances were bad…’Whether you knew him for a year or a day or a lifetime, his happiness was infectious,’ he said.

The tragedy happened while ABN AMRO TWO was sailing downwind in 25 to 30 knots of wind under mainsail, fractional spinnaker and staysail. Hans was trimming the spinnaker sheet when a wave washed back down the deck. When the water cleared Hans was no longer there. Skipper, Sebastien Josse, immediately initiated man overboard procedures and managed to recover the unconscious sailor from the water. Sadly, though, the crew were unable to resuscitate him.

The seven yachts taking part in the leg from New York to Portsmouth, are expected to arrive on Sunday, where there will be celebrations at Gunwharf Quays. To keep track of the boats’ ETAs, see www.volvooceanrace.org and for full listings of the events at Gunwharf Quays, see www.gunwharf-quays.com/volvo_ocean_race.htm