Herbert Dercksen
Encyclopedia
Herbert Willem Constant Dercksen (born 1 March 1973, Gouda
) is a former Dutch
sailor. He won five Dutch titles, one European title and three World titles.
In 1994 Dercksen became Dutch champion in the Europe class and a year later he won another Dutch title, but in the Tornado class alongside Ron van Teylingen. Together they qualified for the 1996 Summer Olympics
where they finished in eighth position. Their second Dutch championship together followed in 1997, while they successfully defended their title in 1998, before Dercksen switched to the Formula 18 class.
In the Formula 18 class he partnered with Mitch Booth
, an Australia
n who was nationality transferred to a Dutchman. They participated at the 1999 European Championships and won the title immediately. They were also able to participate in the Australian national championships where they won another gold medal in 2000. That same year they became World champion, but were unable to participate at the 2000 Summer Olympics
as their class was not an Olympic discipline. They successfully defended their World title in 2001 and 2002 before they switched to the Olympic Tornado class. They took a bronze medal at the 2002 World Championship and a silver at the European Championship that same year. They qualified for the 2004 Summer Olympics
and reached the fifth position. Participating in both the Tornado as well as the Formula 18 class they won a silver medal at the 2004 F18 World Championship and a gold medal at the 2004 Tornado European Championship. With Remco Kenbeek Dercksen won the Dutch tornado title in late 2004. In 2005 he and Dercksen won another medal, a bronze at the 2005 European Tornado Championship.
In 2006 both sailors decided to go their own way and participated at the 2006 Tornado World Championship
but Dercksen only managed to win the sixth race with his team mate Mischa Heemskerk, finishing 26th overall. Booth and his new partner Pim Nieuwenhuis
finished in 14th posisiton. Dercksen then decided in early 2007 to end his career at the highest level of sailing, because he did not think he could fight for the medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics
. He however continues in the Formula 18 class, but at a lower level.
Gouda
Gouda is a city and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. Gouda, which was granted city rights in 1272, is famous for its Gouda cheese, smoking pipes, and 15th-century city hall....
) is a former Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
sailor. He won five Dutch titles, one European title and three World titles.
In 1994 Dercksen became Dutch champion in the Europe class and a year later he won another Dutch title, but in the Tornado class alongside Ron van Teylingen. Together they qualified for the 1996 Summer Olympics
1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
where they finished in eighth position. Their second Dutch championship together followed in 1997, while they successfully defended their title in 1998, before Dercksen switched to the Formula 18 class.
In the Formula 18 class he partnered with Mitch Booth
Mitch Booth
Mitch Booth is a Dutch sailor. He is a two time Olympic medalist and ten time World Champion in the Tornado, Hobie, A class and Formula 18 classes....
, an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n who was nationality transferred to a Dutchman. They participated at the 1999 European Championships and won the title immediately. They were also able to participate in the Australian national championships where they won another gold medal in 2000. That same year they became World champion, but were unable to participate at the 2000 Summer Olympics
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
as their class was not an Olympic discipline. They successfully defended their World title in 2001 and 2002 before they switched to the Olympic Tornado class. They took a bronze medal at the 2002 World Championship and a silver at the European Championship that same year. They qualified for the 2004 Summer Olympics
2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
and reached the fifth position. Participating in both the Tornado as well as the Formula 18 class they won a silver medal at the 2004 F18 World Championship and a gold medal at the 2004 Tornado European Championship. With Remco Kenbeek Dercksen won the Dutch tornado title in late 2004. In 2005 he and Dercksen won another medal, a bronze at the 2005 European Tornado Championship.
In 2006 both sailors decided to go their own way and participated at the 2006 Tornado World Championship
2006 Tornado World Championship
The 2006 Tornado World Championship were held at the Club Náutico San Isidro in San Isidro, Argentina between 1 and 10 December 2006.-Results:-External links:**...
but Dercksen only managed to win the sixth race with his team mate Mischa Heemskerk, finishing 26th overall. Booth and his new partner Pim Nieuwenhuis
Pim Nieuwenhuis
Pim Nieuwenhuis is a Dutch sailor.Nieuwenhuis started in the optimist dinghy where he picked up the first racing skills. Soon he moved on to Olympic classes and he started in the Tornado class in 1994. He was recruited by coach Roy Heiner as a talent for his big boat campaigns...
finished in 14th posisiton. Dercksen then decided in early 2007 to end his career at the highest level of sailing, because he did not think he could fight for the medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
. He however continues in the Formula 18 class, but at a lower level.