The most traumatic leg of the Volvo Ocean Race is finally over for ABN AMRO TWO. The young crew crossed the finish line in Portsmouth at 1908 last night, and finally had the opportunity to mourn the death of crewmate Hans Horrevoets.

The Dutchman was swept overboard and recovered last Thursday, but his crewmates were unable to resuscitate him. In the days that followed they battled 50-knot winds and rescued 10 crew from fellow yacht movistar, which took on water after suffering keel problems. With a packed boat, ABN AMRO TWO sailed into Falmouth, where Hans’ body was transferred to a Royal Netherlands Navy Frigate, and the yachtsmen from movistar were taken ashore.

Families, friends and well-wishers turned up to welcome the ABN AMRO TWO crew at Gunwharf Quays. Riath Al-Samarrai described the emotions of the crowd:

‘For a minute, maybe longer, it was just pure silence as the faces on the sailors became recognisable and the gravity of what happened to Hans Horrevoets in the Atlantic Ocean four days ago pulled us back to reality?Someone started to clap. It was impossible to see who out of the hundreds present, but within five seconds the whole crowd, made up of skippers, sailors, wives, girlfriends, shore crew, passers by and race fans all stood clapping.’

Find out more at www.volvooceanrace.org