At the Allianz Sailing World Championships in Scheveningen, Dorian van Rijsselberghe is important ashore. For someone whose greatest achievements have been on the water, that might be a bit uncomfortable. But the Olympic champion has already fully empathised with his role as tournament director.
A long run-up and thorough preparation have ensured that Van Rijsselberghe knows exactly what to do. In that respect, it is not much different from the years when he achieved one success after another on the surfboard. Even then, the 34-year-old Texelaar, who currently lives in Vancouver with his family, left little to chance.
“I will mainly bring in my experience as a top athlete and connect people. I will give my input and experience in setting up such a tournament through the eyes of a former top athlete. And in addition, I will help make the connection between the sport, sailing, sailors, fans and all other stakeholders. Those are the people in the organisation, volunteers, but also the people in the city of The Hague, the media and sponsors.”
Very special
Van Rijsselberghe emphasises that this event has no equal in the Netherlands yet. “That the Allianz Sailing World Championships is taking place in the Netherlands is super special. This is the first time in the history of the Watersportverbond that we are allowed to organise a World Championship in all ten Olympic disciplines in the Netherlands at the same time. We have of course had many wonderful races in Medemblik, Almere, Lelystad and Scheveningen in recent years, but never before a World Championship with all Olympic sailing classes at the same time. We should be very proud of that as the Netherlands.” As tournament director, he certainly is.
A bit unusual
Of course, he will soon be a bit itchy when the action takes place in front of him on the water. “It’s still special, having such a big event on your doorstep and knowing you don’t have to participate, especially now that it’s in the Netherlands. But at the same time, I’m very happy to be involved anyway in the role of tournament director.”
Besides, there has been plenty in his life in return. “The past three years have been wonderful years with the children. That’s still going absolutely well and it’s also something I’m really still enjoying every day full time. So I look back with satisfaction on that decision at the perfect time. I certainly haven’t regretted it yet.”
iQFOiL
Naturally, his focus in The Hague will be on iQFOiL, the class that has replaced the windsurfing in which Dorian became and remained big, and in which his mate Kiran Badloe is riding high.
“It is a wonderful windsurfing class, in my opinion much more spectacular than the old RS:X we sailed on. The men and women are all a lot heavier, but therefore they also go a lot harder and that’s very nice to see. I really enjoy when I watch it.”
