Spain\u2019s Xabi Fern\u00e1ndez to skipper MAPFRE in Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18<\/p>\n
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Francisco Vignale \/ MAPFRE \/ Volvo Ocean Race<\/p>\n
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Spain\u2019s Olympic gold medallist Xabi Fern\u00e1ndez will return to skipper MAPFRE in the Volvo Ocean Race in 2017-18, the Spanish campaign announced on Friday, 17 February.<\/p>\n
Spain\u2019s Olympic gold medallist Xabi Fern\u00e1ndez will return to skipper MAPFRE in the Volvo Ocean Race in 2017-18, the Spanish campaign announced on Friday, 17 February.<\/p>\n
The 40-year-old Xabi, who has taken part in the Volvo Ocean Race four times, won Olympic gold in Athens 2004, and followed that up with a silver in 2008 \u2013 both times alongside his long-term sailing partner Iker Mart\u00ednez.<\/p>\n
The two men shared leadership duties during MAPFRE\u2019s 2014-15 campaign but with Iker making the decision to focus on other professional projects, Xabi will take sole charge this time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Volvo Ocean Race is an enormously difficult challenge combining human adventure, world-class sport, technical expertise, logistics on a global scale, and a unique communications platform,\u201d said Xabi.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing fortunate enough to be back on the start line, with a chance to claim victory, is something that we are very proud of, and I\u2019m thankful to MAPFRE for believing in a project that began back in 2014.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xabi will return to the Volvo Ocean Race after finishing his work for Sir Ben Ainslie\u2019s America\u2019s Cup campaign, Land Rover BAR.<\/p>\n
Xabi previously competed onboard movistar in 2005-06, Tel\u00e9fonica Blue in 2008-09, and Tel\u00e9fonica in 2011-12, before joining MAPFRE for the last edition.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe short-term objectives are, firstly, to finish the work on the boat and take delivery from The Boatyard in Lisbon at the end of the month. Later, we will confirm the rest of the crew with training that begins in Sanxenxo in mid-March.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cWe have eight months of hard work and optimisation ahead \u2013 not only in terms of the boat, but the performance of the team \u2013 so that we can depart Alicante on 22 October with a real possibility of winning.\u201d<\/p>\n
MAPFRE competed in the Volvo Ocean Race for the first time in 2014-15, continuing a long-standing tradition that has seen Spanish-flagged boats in eight of the previous 12 editions.<\/p>\n
Antonio Huertas, President of MAPFRE, said: \u201cXabi is a fantastic skipper, who is committed to MAPFRE and shares our values. This addition is magnificent news for the campaign. We know that he will proudly carry the MAPFRE name around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pedro Campos, general manager of the team, has been involved in every edition since 2005-06, and is delighted with the appointment. \u201cThere isn\u2019t a sailor in the world that doesn\u2019t respect Xabi\u2019s talent, experience and determination,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast edition, he clearly demonstrated his ability to organise and lead, gaining success such as the Leg 4 victory into Auckland, New Zealand. Without doubt, Xabi is the best possible skipper for MAPFRE.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Volvo Ocean Race starts in Alicante on 22 October 2017 and will finish in The Hague at the end of June 2018. The Race will feature a total of 12 Host Cities and take the teams over 45,000 nautical miles around the world.<\/p>\n
Three teams have so far announced their campaigns \u2013 Team AkzoNobel (skippered by Simeon Tienpont), Dongfeng Race Team (Charles Caudrelier) and MAPFRE (Xabi Fern\u00e1ndez).<\/p>\n
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