Doutzen Kroes' 470 Dinghy Raises EUR9,500 for Charity

At a charity auction on Saturday 2 July, one of the world's top supermodels Doutzen Kroes auctioned her 470 which contributed to the raising of an incredible €399.250 for dance4life. Doutzen is an ambassador of the charity organization Dance4Life which creates awareness about HIV and AIDS amongst young people.

Sensation Innerspace and dance4life organised the auction for the friends4life - people who donate a substantial amount to dance4life every year. During the dinner, 12 unique items were auctioned, including supermodel Doutzen Kroes' 470 dinghy.

After the auction of the 470 dinghy, Doutzen Kroes commented, "I'm really pleased that the boat has raised €9,500 and is now in the good hands of one of the friends4life. Money raised will of course go to dance4life!"

Doutzen explained that since becoming a mother earlier in the year she just does not have the time to sail the 470 any more, hence deciding to auction the boat for dance4life.

Also present at the auction were 470 sailor Marieke Jongens and Rick van Wiijngaarden, President of the Dutch 470 Class Association, who had been specially invited due to the 470 connection.

Marieke is campaigning in the 470 for Rio 2016 and began her 470 career as a former owner of Doutzen's boat, including winning the silver medal at the 2007 470 Junior Women's European Championships. After the auction, Marieke Jongens and Doutzen Kroes had a “bye bye boat and good luck for both” chat.

“It is great that sport is linked with charity”, Marieke commented, particularly noting that the pedigree of the boat and the Olympic status of the 470 were used to promote the auction.

Also among the items being auctioned were a knotted chair by Marcel Wanders (€7,000), a meet and greet with Richard Branson (€8,000) and a private dinner by four top chefs Ron Blaauw, Jonnie Boer, Hans van Wolde and Sergio Herman (€60,000). The highlight of the evening was a commercial space flight,offered by Space Expedition Curaçao, which was auctioned for an amazing €120,000! The purchaser of this space flight will, just like Doutzen Kroes and Erica Terpstra, be one of the first 100 astronauts to take to space in 2014!

More Information:
Doutzen Kroes Auctions 470 Dinghy - Press Release 1 July 2011
www.dance4life.com

Image: Doutzen Kroes in the middle of the picture as her 470 is being auctioned © Bart Muhl