Van der Voort feels form returning towards second half of season: 'In the beginning I played lousy'.

Darters who had no obligations at the World Series could enjoy a summer break in August. Vincent van der Voort also had almost nothing on his schedule during the summer months.

The 46-year old dart player from Purmerend liked to recharge his batteries, he said in an interview with TOTO Dart Kings. "We have had a busy first half of the year, so it is nice to relax and have no tournaments. In a fortnight time it will start again for me.

A holiday was not in the cards for Van der Voort. "There is enough to do. We did not go on holiday this year because I will move in September. So we are busy with that and we still have the dartshop of course.

Van der Voort's next tournament is the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam, from 16 to 18 September. "That is of course a great tournament. You play in the Netherlands in Amsterdam, close to home. It is nice to play in front of your own audience. So I am looking forward to that.''

After the World Series Finals, the focus is on the ranking tournaments. The Dutch Destroyer can still qualify for various TV tournaments via the Pro and Euro Tour.

"I did not do well on the Pro Tours (so far, ed.), so I missed the World Matchplay and will probably also miss the World Grand Prix. I just have to make it to the European Championships and the Players Championship Finals. I will be up for the World Championship anyway. Then I can qualify for the Grand Slam of Darts, so enough to play for.

Van der Voort is in any case more positive about his form than a few months ago. "It is mainly that I slowly start to feel that it is getting better. In the beginning (of the year) I played lousy. I had some trouble with the change of boards (from Unicorn to Winmau, ed.), but I think I have it under control now. I just want to notice that I am starting to play better. If I play better, I will get better performances''.