"He arrived at Schiphol Airport with his LA Gear and colored laces": Van der Voort recalls 'comical sight' in first meeting Van Barneveld

Vincent van der Voort and Raymond van Barneveld first played together for years in the BDO and then also in the PDC. In the podcast "Darts Draait Door," he brought up a funny anecdote about his first meeting with Van Barneveld.

Van der Voort made his debut at the BDO World Championship in 2002, Van Barneveld did so back in 1991. Van der Voort lost twice at the World Cup against Van Barneveld, in 2005 in the quarterfinals of the BDO and in 2018 in the third round of the PDC edition. In 2007, Van der Voort and Van Barneveld also met in a major final at the PDC, at the UK Open when Van Barneveld won 16-8.

Yet Van der Voort and Van Barneveld have known each other for much longer. "I've known Raymond since 1990. Maybe even earlier," Van der Voort said. "The first time I was still playing in youth and we went to the Winmau World Masters. At the airport they saw each other then. It was a standout," says the 48-year-old Dutchman.

"He arrived there at Schiphol Airport with his LA Gear and colored laces," Van der Voort continued. "That was a comical sight, even then I laughed. That was my first real encounter with him. Great, really a great guy."

Van Barneveld has always attached importance to his appearance, for example, he likes to wear expensive brand name clothing and recently opted for a hair pigmentation treatment, a type of tattoo that creates a "shaved look".