Hard sell

Dutch supermodel auctioning her 470 for charity

One of the world's top supermodels, Doutzen Kroes of the Netherlands, is selling her 470 dinghy for charity. Doutzen and her 470 have already become famous in the Douwe Egberts coffee advert which features Doutzen reminiscing over her 470, which she has mainly enjoyed sailing recreationally.

Twenty-six year old beauty Doutzen, who has been the face for many leading consumer brands and fashion houses, has offered her 470 dinghy for the highest bids on the leading Dutch auction website www.marktplaats.nl. Earlier this week, bids of Euros 1,000,000 were made, but as Doutzen recognized in an interview on Radio 538, one of Holland's leading radio stations, “There are bids of Euros 1,000,000 but I think they are not realistic. I have received a serious bid of Euros 20,000. I hope for more people to make a higher bid in favour of Dance 4 life.”

Doutzen continued, “The boat is very special to me. It’s a real super sensational sailing race boat. The photo on the auction site of me sailing the boat is the same as shown in the Douwe Egberts TV commercial on the Bergummermeer in The Netherlands. To sail a 470, the crew hangs in a trapeze and it’s a spectacular experience to sail it.”

In August 2009, Doutzen became ambassador of the charity organization Dance4Life, an organization which creates awareness about HIV and AIDS amongst young people. As a Dance4life ambassador Doutzen has put her 470 up for auction to raise funds to support the programme. The highest bid will be used as an opening bid at the dance4life auction, which is being held prior to the leading dance event Sensation Amsterdam on 2 July 2011. The three serious marktplaats bidders with the highest bids will be invited to the auction, where Doutzens will be present.

Doutzen recognises that young people can make a difference and on her appointment as ambassador stated, "I believe that young people can change the world. Dance4Life gives us the opportunity to really make a difference and contribute to the fight against AIDS and HIV in our own environment, at schools, and around the world."

Those interested in bidding for the 470 please send an email with your name, contact details and bid amount to: doutzensboot@paparazzimodels.com

Along with selling her 470, Doutzen is also heading to space in 2014 on board the first Dutch commercial flight to space. Space Expedition Curaçao (SXC) have announced that one very special ticket will be donated to dance4life, which will be auctioned during an exclusive friends4life dinner that will take place prior to Sensation Amsterdam on 2 July 2011 offering the chance to go to space with Doutzen.