Global IT services giant HCL Technologies backs Volvo Ocean Race as official IT services provider in 2017-18| Volvo Ocean Race

Global IT services giant HCL Technologies backs Volvo Ocean Race as official IT services provider in 2017-18

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Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race

HCL Technologies, the global IT services provider, is backing the Volvo Ocean Race as official IT services provider – developing and delivering IT solutions for the 2017-18 edition of the 45,000 nautical mile race around the world.

Alicante, SPAIN, 20 March 2017 – HCL Technologies, the global IT services provider, is backing the Volvo Ocean Race as official IT services provider – developing and delivering IT solutions for the 2017-18 edition of the 45,000 nautical mile race around the world.

The partnership provides a unique opportunity for HCL, which boasts extensive infrastructure and offices in 32 countries, to work in collaboration with the race to deliver a world-class IT platform, helping fans follow the boats during their eight-month ocean marathon and at Host Cities around the world.

The IT infrastructure being built in collaboration with HCL will be the backbone of Volvo Ocean Race’s streaming and TV production for key events such as arrivals, departures and the In-Port Race series.

In addition, the delivery will include vital features such as inter-site connectivity at the race’s global stopovers, digital content delivery, mobile data centres and infrastructure with full redundancy, Wi-Fi networks, and multimedia facilities for media centres and race offices. HCL will provide end-to-end IT support in setting up the Race Villages in all 12 stopovers, enabling Volvo Ocean Race to provide a great viewing experience to its fans as they follow the boats during the offshore legs, and stopovers at Host Cities around the world.

Volvo Ocean Race CEO Mark Turner said: “The upcoming edition of the Volvo Ocean Race will be more digitally focused than ever before. Connecting the expected 3 million Race Village visitors, the 5,000 accredited journalists and our millions of fans around the world is an immense task. Building the complex IT infrastructure that we use for this around the world is a huge challenge, and we’re confident that this partnership with HCL Technologies will allow us to provide fans, media and stakeholders with a more connected experience than ever before.”

At a projected 45,000 nautical miles, and featuring three times as many Southern Ocean miles as in previous editions, the 2017-18 race promises to be one of the most extreme yet.

“We are excited to be supporting such a momentous event in the extreme sporting calendar. The Volvo Ocean Race has become the Everest of racing; representing a life-changing experience for the crews and teams that take part,” said Ashish Gupta, Corporate Vice President & Head of EMEA, HCL Technologies.

“HCL teams from around the world will come together and work tirelessly to drive a world-class, experience for the millions of race followers, who will be using the latest digital technologies to get closer than ever to the action.”

The partnership furthers HCL’s credentials in the sporting arena and follows the company’s global engagement with Manchester United where HCL was selected as the club’s official ‘digital partner’.

The next edition of the race will depart Alicante, Spain, on 22 October 2017, and visit Lisbon, Cape Town, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Auckland, Itajaí, Newport, Cardiff and Gothenburg before concluding in The Hague in June 2018.

About HCL Technologies

HCL Technologies (HCL) is a leading global IT services company that helps global enterprises re–imagine and transform their businesses through Digital technology transformation. HCL operates out of 32 countries and has consolidated revenues of US$ 6.7 billion, for 12 months ended 31st December, 2016. HCL focuses on providing an integrated portfolio of services underlined by its Mode 1–2–3 growth strategy. Mode 1 encompasses the core services in the areas of Applications, Infrastructure, BPO and Engineering & R&D services, leveraging DRYiCETM Autonomics to transform clients’ business and IT landscape, making them ‘lean’ and ‘agile’. Mode 2 focuses on experience–centric and outcome–oriented services such as Digital and Analytics Services (BEYONDigitalTM), IoT WorKSTM, Cloud and Security, utilizing DRYiCETM Orchestration to drive business outcomes and enable enterprise digitalization. Mode 3 strategy is ecosystem–driven, creating innovative IP–partnerships to build products and platforms business.

HCL leverages its global network of integrated co-innovation labs, and global delivery capabilities to provide holistic multi–service delivery in key industry verticals including Financial Services, Manufacturing, Telecommunications, Media, Publishing, Entertainment, Retail CPG, Life Sciences Healthcare, Oil & Gas, Energy & Utilities, Travel, Transportation & Logistics and Government. With 111,092 professionals from diverse nationalities, HCL focuses on creating real value for customers by taking ‘Relationships Beyond the Contract’. For more information, please visit www.hcltech.com

via Global IT services giant HCL Technologies backs Volvo Ocean Race as official IT services provider in 2017-18| Volvo Ocean Race.

Dream Start For Velsheda, Winners of the Kings Hundred Guinea Cup :: News :: J Class Association

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17 March 2017 Dream Start For Velsheda, Winners of the Kings Hundred Guinea Cup

Velsheda made the best start to what promises to be a landmark season for the J Class when they opened the 30th edition of the Caribbean’s St Barth’s Bucket by winning both windward-leeward races and so lifting the Kings Hundred Guinea Cup from the record fleet of six J Class yachts. It is the second time that Velsheda has won the trophy, (one of) the J Class’s most prestigious annual prizes. In 2015 in Falmouth when they last triumphed there were just three boats racing.

In the brisk 16-20kts E’ly breeze Velsheda – which won here last year – nailed two very good starts near the committee boat end of the start line and lead at every mark through the day. Hanuman, which seemed fast downwind, caught distance on the final run and the two ended up in a dead heat on corrected time. But in the second race Hanuman could not catch Velsheda enough and the famous original 1933 launched J Class yacht sits on top of the regatta leaderboard by one clear point.

“Racing just does not get cooler than this. To be throwing these ‘museum pieces’ around a short race course like that in 17-19kts like we are sailing TP52s, it is pretty full on. To do one race like that is hard work, to do two back to back in these conditions is hard work. But we had a lot of fun.” Grinned Ken Read, skipper-helm of Hanuman.

Campbell Field, navigator on the victorious Velsheda reported: “We wanted to keep it clean today, to sail clean and we pretty much did and that is what made the difference. We wanted to get our noses out in front and each time we did and that really let us sail our own race. It was a really nice day. Everything went smoothly. Our boat handling was good. There are some area to improve on but we are happy. It is a great way to start the season. We could not ask for more. And hopefully it is not all downhill from here!”

Only five yachts completed the first race. If Velsheda today had something close to the perfect start to their season, Lionheart did not. They had to retire after starting late in Race 1 because of a failed jib halyard strop and at the second start they fouled Hanuman just before the gun and had to take a penalty.

Velsheda were able to tack on top of Hanuman near half way up the first beat and that was the key to their ability to step away and extend their initial lead. Topaz, with Peter Holmberg steering, showed well in the first race and rounded third ahead of Ranger and Shamrock. Topaz came back at Hanuman slightly on the first run but the black boat was well clear by the second windward turn after staying to the left on the second beat. Topaz took third on corrected time.

Tactician Tom Dodson helped position Velsheda in a strong position off the start line of Race 2, benefiting from being able to ride above Shamrock which was pretty much on the layline to the committee boat. They were able to climb away and soon established a lead. At the top mark they were 30 seconds or so ahead of Hanuman with Ranger rounding third and Topaz fourth. Lionheart fought back and did enough to beat Topaz to fourth on corrected time.

Velsheda’s winning navigator Field continued: “Hanuman are lightning fast downwind and they (other boats) are all running A sails (asymmetric spinnakers) and we like our symmetrical S sail because it gives us better options. In the second race it was a lot tighter and Hanuman still came smoking into us on the run and were within 20 seconds at the final top mark. We knew we would have to defend on the run and that is where the fleet dynamics come in where they had some traffic to deal with. We did some nice hoists and gybes and that made a difference.”

Hanuman’s Read commented: “It was full on. Racing in 18kts and the first time six boats have been on a starting line in history. A bunch of us are shaking the rust off us. The boat kind of bailed us out a few times. Velsheda are sailing very, very well. They deserved to win today. They have set the bar and it is up to us to match it.”

“One windward-leeward race on a day like that is hard. Two races like that are really full on. Packing kites again to be ready for the second race is hard, hard work. Trying to keep it all in one piece is hard. The thing is with these events is you start off with these museum pieces, full of beautiful furniture and the most gorgeous boats on the planet, and all of a sudden you are ripping around the race course like they are a TP52. We don’t know any better. We appreciate them for what they are.”

“It was a shame Lionheart broke their halyard strop before the first race because they are a benchmark boat. But it shows how one small drama can wreck your event right out of the box.” “Our lighter mode is thinking towards Newport and Bermuda. They (Velsheda) had better starts and won the boat. But downwind we have always struggled with this boat but today we kind of felt we could do things we have never done. The boat feels different. And we are learning. We tried a different modes on the beats. But, overall, honestly, it does not get any cooler than this.”

Saint Barths Bucket J Class

Race 1: 1 = Velsheda, 1= Hanuman, 3 Topaz, 4 Ranger, 5 Shamrock RET Lionheart Race 2: 1 Velsheda, 2 Hanuman, 3 Ranger, 4 Lionheart, 5 Topaz, 6 Shamrock Standings after 2 races. 1 Velsheda 2 pts, 2 Hanuman 3pts, 3 Ranger 7pts, 4 Topaz 8pts, 5 Lionheart 11pts, 6 Shamrock 11pts

via Dream Start For Velsheda, Winners of the Kings Hundred Guinea Cup :: News :: J Class Association.

Top female sailors Carolijn Brouwer and Marie Riou join Dongfeng Race Team for Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18| Volvo Ocean Race

Top female sailors Carolijn Brouwer and Marie Riou join Dongfeng Race Team for Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18

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Martin Keruzoré/Volvo Ocean race

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Benoit Stichelbaut / Dongfeng Race Team

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Eloi Stichelbaut/Dongfeng Race Team

Dongfeng Race Team have selected Carolijn Brouwer and Marie Riou for their Volvo Ocean Race campaign in 2017-18 – a move that confirms the impact of a rule change introduced by the race to encourage mixed male-female crews

Dongfeng Race Team have selected Carolijn Brouwer and Marie Riou for their Volvo Ocean Race campaign in 2017-18 – a move that confirms the impact of a rule change introduced by the race to encourage mixed male-female crews.

The two women bring a wealth of experience to Charles Caudrelier’s team, including a total of five Olympic Games and a host of world titles. They join Jérémie Beyou, Stu Bannatyne and Daryl Wislang, who were announced last week as the first of the campaign’s crew for 2017-18.

Brouwer, 43, is one of the Netherlands’ most respected athletes and a two-time Volvo Ocean Race veteran, having competed with Amer Sports Too in 2001-02 and Team SCA in 2014-15. She is also a former World Sailor of the Year and a three-time Olympian.

She is joined by France’s Riou, 35, who has competed twice at the Olympics, including Rio 2016, and has won four world championships in the Nacra 17 class.

The pair have been selected following an extensive programme of evaluation which included sailing and racing, both inshore and offshore, in Australia and Portugal.

Caudrelier, who will skipper Dongfeng again after securing third place in 2014-15, is delighted with the addition of what he describes as two exceptionally gifted female sailors.

“I chose Carolijn because she beat us many times during the last race when she helmed Team SCA in the In-Port Races,” he explained. “We all knew that she is a good helm and she has a big Olympic past and I really respect that. But her Olympic campaigns have turned her into a very fast driver and she knows where to put the boat.”

He added that Riou’s years of Olympic racing and training would be of great benefit to his squad.

“She is a very good Olympic sailor with tons of experience. She is also from Brittany so she has a background in offshore sailing. She is strong, she has a good spirit – which is the most important thing for me – and she is used to sailing with guys. For her, the Volvo Ocean Race is a dream and, like Carolijn, Marie wants to win.”

The selection of Brouwer and Riou is the first sign that the rule change, brought in by the Volvo Ocean Race in order to encourage female sailors who might otherwise be overlooked due to a perceived lack of physical strength or experience, will have a significant impact across the sport.

Under the new crew rules, all-male teams will be limited to just seven sailors but teams that include female sailors will be able to choose from combinations including seven men plus one or two women; five men plus five women; or 11 women.

Brouwer says that winning the Volvo Ocean Race has been a goal for many years, and she is delighted to be joining a Chinese team which she admired during the last race.

“I’m very proud to be part of the team,” Brouwer said. “One of the reasons I wanted to join Dongfeng Race Team is because of their strong team spirit. The Volvo Ocean Race is unique. It’s the ultimate challenge physically and mentally and, because you are in a team, you get the best out of each other.”

Riou will be making her debut in the race. “I’ve wanted to take part in the Volvo Ocean Race since I was 10 years old,” she said. “Although my main experience is in inshore racing, I have always wanted to race offshore and for me the Volvo Ocean Race is the pinnacle of fully-crewed offshore racing.”

The announcement of the remaining crew members of Dongfeng Race Team will be made in the coming weeks.

Dongfeng are one of three teams to have announced campaigns for the race so far, along with Team AkzoNobel (Netherlands) and MAPFRE (Spain). A fourth team is confirmed and will be announced in late March, with the others to come in the following weeks and months.

The race will start from Alicante on 22 October and visit Lisbon, Cape Town, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Auckland, Itajaí, Newport RI, Cardiff and Gothenburg, before the big finish in The Hague at the end of June.

 

Sailor: Carolijn Brouwer

Born: 25 July 1973

Place of birth: Leiden, Netherlands

Previous Volvo Ocean Races: 2

Achievements: three-time Olympian and multiple world champion

 

Sailor: Marie Riou

Born: 21 August 1981

Place of birth: Plougastel-Daoulas, France

Achievements: two-time Olympian and four-time world champion

via Top female sailors Carolijn Brouwer and Marie Riou join Dongfeng Race Team for Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18| Volvo Ocean Race.

MAPFRE snap up Greenhalgh for Volvo Ocean Race bid| Volvo Ocean Race

MAPFRE snap up Greenhalgh for Volvo Ocean Race bid

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Photo ©María Muiña/ MAPFRE

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Ainhoa Sanchez / Volvo Ocean Race

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Francisco Vignale / MAPFRE / Volvo Ocean Race

Spanish team MAPFRE have signed Britain’s Rob Greenhalgh, a race winner back in 2005-06, as a watch captain for their 2017-18 campaign

Spanish team MAPFRE have signed Britain’s Rob Greenhalgh as a watch captain for their 2017-18 campaign.

Greenhalgh, who returns for his fifth Volvo Ocean Race and second with MAPFRE, is the campaign’s fourth confirmed sailor, following skipper Xabi Fernández, fellow watch captain Pablo Arrarte, and Ñeti Cuervas-Mons, who will be bowman and boat captain.

The quartet boast 14 races between them – experience that will be key as they bid to win Spain’s first ever Volvo Ocean Race trophy.

Greenhalgh knows exactly what it takes to compete in sailing’s toughest team event, having won the race at his first attempt, onboard ABN AMRO ONE in 2005-06.

“I think we have a good boat and we will have a good team,” said the Briton.

The Volvo Ocean Race starts from Alicante on 22 October and the teams will race more than 45,000 nautical miles around the world in a grueling test of sailing skill and endurance. A total of 12 Host Cities will welcome the teams over the course of the race, which lasts more than eight months and finishes in The Hague.

Skipper Xabi is delighted with his new recruit: “Rob has a lot of experience. He has already won a Volvo Ocean Race, has been second in another one and has sailed with so many different people and in all types of boats.

“He is strong, determined and does not compromise. It is always good to have a sailor with the experience Rob has in an important position like watch captain.”

Greenhalgh’s association with the Volvo Ocean Race goes back all the way to 2004, when Kiwi Mike Sanderson called to offer him a position onboard ABN AMRO.

Since then, he’s competed in three more Volvo Ocean Races, and an America’s Cup – and he’s back in the toughest race of all, eager to get his hands on the trophy for a second time.

Everything you need to know about Rob Greenhalgh:

Position: Watch captain

Age: 39

Born: 17.08.1977

Place of Birth: Brighton, UK

Previous Volvo Ocean Race appearances:

2005-06: ABN AMRO ONE (1st)

2008-09: Puma Ocean Racing (2nd)

2011-12: Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (5th)

2014-15: MAPFRE (4th)

America’s Cup:

2007: Team Origin

via MAPFRE snap up Greenhalgh for Volvo Ocean Race bid| Volvo Ocean Race.

Boating Business | HYS unveils new hoist dock

HYS unveils new hoist dock

07 Mar 2017

The new hoist dock is part of a continuing programme of major improvements at Hamble Yacht Services

Hamble Yacht Services’ (HYS) new hoist dock, which has been under construction for the past 12 weeks, is fully operational.

The new dock accommodates the yard¹s 80 tonne hoist and a second 40 tonne hoist. It replaces the previous boat lifting dock which was consigned to history after 44 years in service.

“The construction work went very smoothly,” said Robert Bicket of Hamble Yacht Services. “We are delighted with the work carried out by Walcon, which finished on time and on budget.”

The hoist dock has the capacity to lift yachts up to 33.5m length, 7.3m beam and 5.5m draft. Both the hoists have also undergone complete servicing and refurbishment.

Designed by Mayhew Callum, the hoist was built by Walcon Marine, which mobilised its full fleet of three 20m barges to assist with construction and the movement of equipment and materials to the site.

This infrastructure investment is part of a continuing programme of improvements at HYS since it was taken over by its current owners early 2015.

via Boating Business | HYS unveils new hoist dock.

Boating Business | BlackCat expands its portfolio

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BlackCat expands its portfolio

09 Mar 2017

BlackCat 35 provides accommodation in six cabins

BlackCat Superyachts has added a new 35m luxury catamaran built completely from carbon fibre to its portfolio.

The vessel – that has a beam of 14m – is designed to perform under sail and also to be fuel efficient when under motor.

“After launching the BlackCat 50m model in 2016 it became apparent that the market appetite for a high-quality superyacht multihull is rapidly growing,” said Mitch Booth, BlackCat founder. “The BlackCat 35 offers the same characteristics of style and performance in this smaller model.”

BlackCat 35 provides accommodation in six cabins for up to eight guests and four crew, the main deck salon is on a single level and designed for entertainment.

The advantages of fast cruising on a multihull, capable of cruising at 20 knots and reaching a maximum speed of 32 knots, with a low heel angle and platform stability, make the BlackCat 35 an alternative for any owner considering a 40-45m monohull.

via Boating Business | BlackCat expands its portfolio.

Boating Business | Dinghy Show attracts thousands of visitors

Dinghy Show attracts thousands of visitors09 Mar 2017The RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show attracted thousands of visitorsThousands of dinghy sailing enthusiasts from across the UK visited the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show at Alexandra Palace to see the latest boats and equipment on offer.“We were delighted to see more than 8,000 people joining us for a fantastic show this year including higher visitor numbers on the Sunday than we’ve seen in previous years,” said RYA director of sport development Alistair Dickson.“As always, there was a real buzz throughout the weekend as visitors browsed the halls, enjoyed talks from the sport’s biggest names and caught up with friends. The feedback we’ve received from the exhibitors, visitors and speakers has also been extremely positive.”Among the new boats on display was the foiling trimaran F101 that received its launch at the show.Foiling World, the marketing business behind the F101, is working with the designer Ron Price, boat builder White Formula, Selden Masts, Hyde Sails and Harken.Other new boats included the International 14 from Composite Craft and the new Solo from the Boat Yard at Beer. Both with full Allen fit-outs and custom fabrication.“Every aspect of the Solo was considered in the search for improvement. New foil moulds were CAD designed and 5-axis CNC machined to ensure trueness and consistency of build,” explained Kevin Driver of the Boat Yard at Beer.Also at the show, Ullswater Yacht Club was crowned RYA Club of the Year 2017 and the Flying 10 was named ‘boat of the show’ winning the Concours d’Elegance.The show was officially opened by Olympic medallists Mark Covell and Helena Lucas.

via Boating Business | Dinghy Show attracts thousands of visitors.

Boating Business | Ancasta FAST40+ partnership

Ancasta FAST40+ partnership

13 Mar 2017

Ancasta International Boat Sales has confirmed its sponsorship of the FAST40+ Class and appointment as official brokerage partner of the FAST40+ circuit.

“We are hugely excited to have the opportunity of working with this new class. As we have seen over such a short period, there is a serious demand for boats of this nature,” said Sam Pearson of Ancasta Race Boats.

“This year’s season is looking like it will raise the profile of the class even further and with plenty of owners on the fringes, we are excited to see what the future will bring.”

via Boating Business | Ancasta FAST40+ partnership.

Fourth team confirmed and coming in March| Volvo Ocean Race

Fourth team confirmed and coming in March

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Giovanni Malgarini/Team Akzonobel

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Benoit Stichelbaut / Dongfeng Race Team

The fourth team for the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 is now confirmed – and will be revealed later this month.

The fourth team for the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 is now confirmed – and will be revealed later this month.

With over seven months to go before the beginning of the next edition in October, the new campaign joins Team AkzoNobel, Dongfeng Race Team and MAPFRE in early preparations for the 2017-18 start line in Alicante.

Volvo Ocean Race CEO Mark Turner said: “We’re delighted to confirm another exciting campaign for the next edition of the Volvo Ocean Race.”

The teams will depart Alicante on 22 October 2017, and race more than 45,000 nautical miles around the planet, taking in Lisbon, Cape Town, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Auckland, Itajaí, Newport, Cardiff and Gothenburg before the big finish in The Hague at the end of June 2018.

With boats 7 and 8 likely to be undergoing the stringent re-fit process at the Boatyard in Lisbon until around May/June 2017, the full fleet is unlikely to be announced before the summer.

The one-design concept has reduced the need for teams to begin their campaigns as early as in previous editions. There is no reason why a campaign getting off the ground this summer can’t go on and win the trophy.

via Fourth team confirmed and coming in March| Volvo Ocean Race.

Team AkzoNobel to race brand new Volvo Ocean 65 in Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18| Volvo Ocean Race

Team AkzoNobel to race brand new Volvo Ocean 65 in Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18

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Giovanni Malgarini/Team Akzonobel

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Giovanni Malgarini/Team Akzonobel

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Giovanni Malgarini/Team Akzonobel

ALICANTE, Spain, March 8 – Team AkzoNobel will compete in the 2017-18 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race in a brand new boat.

ALICANTE, Spain, March 8 – Team AkzoNobel will compete in the 2017-18 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race in a brand new boat.

Team AkzoNobel, led by Dutch skipper Simeon Tienpont, will tackle sailing’s toughest team test in the new Volvo Ocean 65 currently being constructed at Persico Marine in Bergamo, Italy.

The boat, scheduled for completion in May, is identical to the current one-design fleet of seven Volvo Ocean 65s which competed in the 2014-15 edition.

Tienpont, who made the team’s milestone announcement on Wednesday at the HISWA Amsterdam Boatshow, said: “Team AkzoNobel is a brand-new team being built from the ground up – so a brand-new boat feels right.

“Every new boat is exciting, but this one is something special. It doesn’t seem very long since I started planning out this campaign on my kitchen table at home, so it’s a great feeling to now see our boat coming to fruition.”

Explaining the motivation behind the decision to commission the build of the new boat, he said: “Our goal is to be the best prepared team on the start line in Alicante, so, our first choice was always to have a new boat built.

“If you have that option, it’s a no-brainer decision to make when you are racing around the world.”

And Tienpont, a double-America’s Cup winner who has twice raced the Volvo Ocean Race before, onboard ABN Amro Two in 2005-06 and Team Vestas Wind in 2014-15, admitted to having butterflies in his stomach when he first laid eyes on the new boat.

“My wife thinks it’s crazy but I always have a special bond with the boats that I race,” he confessed. “Just like some people bond with the horse that they ride or their pet dog, I relate emotionally to the boat that I race.”

The existing fleet is currently undergoing a one-million-euros-per-boat re-fit procedure at The Boatyard in Lisbon, Portugal.

The new boat, which has been constructed using the same materials and moulds as the rest of the fleet, will shortly be transported to Lisbon, where it will undergo rigorous testing to ensure it adheres to the strict one-design criteria.

“We have a christening ceremony planned in the Netherlands for the summer,” Tienpont said. “Bringing our boat home for the first time will be an exciting moment and an opportunity for our Dutch supporters to see it.

“The Volvo Ocean Race is hugely popular in the Netherlands. In the same way that the French public loves the Vendée Globe, the Dutch are crazy about the Volvo Ocean Race. As a Dutchman, I’m immensely proud to be skippering a Dutch Volvo Ocean Race campaign.”

Nick Bice, Chief Technical Development Officer at the Volvo Ocean Race, has overseen the re-fit process of the existing Volvo Ocean 65s, and is delighted to see an extra boat joining the fleet.

“It’s hugely exciting to expand the fleet ahead of the next edition,” he said. “Team AkzoNobel signed up early in the cycle, so they had time to build a new boat, and it will be a great benefit to them in terms of their brand fit.”

He added: “The new boat will be identical to the existing fleet in every regard. All of the Volvo Ocean 65s were built to race in at least two editions, and the seven that finished the 2014-15 edition are in fantastic condition.

“You won’t be able to tell the difference between the brand new boat, and one of the old ones,” he added. “And there is no reason why an existing boat, sailed properly, cannot win the next Volvo Ocean Race.”

The Volvo Ocean Race starts from Alicante on 22 October 2017 and finishes in The Hague in the summer of 2018. The teams will complete a course of around 45,000 nautical miles, visiting a total of 12 Host Cities around the world.

via Team AkzoNobel to race brand new Volvo Ocean 65 in Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18| Volvo Ocean Race.