Experienced French yachtsman Charles Caudrelier has been named as the new skipper of the Chinese Dongfeng Race Team, which will take part in the Volvo Ocean Race 2014/15.
The 40 year old from Britanny was part of the winning French Groupama crew in the last edition of the multi-stage team race, which sees single-hulled 20-metre boats race each other around the world.
He also won the Solitaire du Figaro single-handed race in 2004 and the double-handed Transat Jacques Vabre in 2009 and 2013 before agreeing to work under skipper Franck Cammas in the 2011/12 Volvo Ocean Race.
He will break new ground in leading the Chinese team, which will be the third from that country to contest the race in its 40-year history, following Team Sanya (2011/12) and the joint-entry with Ireland, Green Dragon (2008/09).
Caudrelier said he aimed to put together an eight-man crew, which will include four Chinese sailors from the country’s Olympic yachting programme.
“Our Chinese candidates are very dedicated and they are working hard. Yet, few of them know about ocean racing and it’s quite a challenge with the race starting in six months,” he said.
“We have to teach them all if we want to perform as a group. As we’ve started sailing together, I’m already seeing their personalities and skills developing.
“I take a great pleasure in teaching my sport. I believe it’s key for our sport to get China involved in sailing for real, too. I want to do my part for everyone to gain from this – the sport of sailing, China and Dongfeng Race Team.”
Backed by leading carmakers Dongfeng, the Chinese boat – a Volvo Ocean 65 (20 metres) – will prepare until the end of March at the Serenity Marina in the southern Chinese port of Sanya, a race stopover in 2014/15.
They will then head to Auckland for an offshore exercise at the end of March before sailing to Europe to gear up for the start of the race on October 4 in Alicante, Spain.
Among their rivals will be Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, who are competing in the event for a second time, having first entered the 2011/12 race. The UAE-based team saw their new Volvo Ocean 65 craft leave the boat yard in Southampton, England, for the first time on Wednesday.
Five teams have been confirmed for the race thus far, with Alvimedica, Brunel and SCA Ocean Racing the other three entered.
sports@thenational.ae
