Vend\u00e9e Globe star J\u00e9r\u00e9mie Beyou takes on Volvo Ocean Race challenge as Dongfeng Race Team name world class trio<\/p>\n
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Benoit Stichelbaut \/ Dongfeng Race Team<\/p>\n
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Martin Keruzor\u00e9\/Volvo Ocean race<\/p>\n
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Yann Riou\/Volvo Ocean Race<\/p>\n
Dongfeng skipper Charles Caudrelier names France\u2019s J\u00e9r\u00e9mie Beyou and New Zealanders Stu Bannatyne and Daryl Wislang for Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 campaign<\/p>\n
J\u00e9r\u00e9mie Beyou, fresh from his third place in the Vend\u00e9e Globe, will swap solo sailing for the sport\u2019s toughest team challenge, after the Frenchman was announced as part of a trio of world-class sailors joining Dongfeng Race team for the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18.<\/p>\n
Beyou joins two other vastly experienced offshore sailors in New Zealand\u2019s Stu Bannatyne and Daryl Wislang to complete the first batch of crew to join the Chinese campaign following months of trials and intense testing by skipper Charles Caudrelier.<\/p>\n
Bannatyne, a seven-time Volvo Ocean Race veteran with three wins under his belt, and Wislang, who has competed three times and lifted the trophy with Abu Dhabi in 2014-15, know all too well just what it takes to be competitive in sailing\u2019s leading offshore challenge.<\/p>\n
But Beyou, a 40-year-old, three-time Solitaire du Figaro winner from Larmor-Plage in Brittany, who is used to racing around the world alone on his Open 60, Ma\u00eetre Coq, recognises that life onboard will be a very different experience for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will have to get used to being one of a team of sailors on board,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a really exciting challenge. We have high expectations for a result in this race and we have exactly what we need to do well.<\/p>\n
\u201cDongfeng is an interesting team because we have people of different ages, nationalities and backgrounds \u2013 people from single-handed racing, from dinghy racing and veterans of the Volvo. There is a great spirit on board and everyone is helping each other \u2013 it\u2019s a great feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n
Caudrelier, who skippered Dongfeng Race Team to a podium finish in 2014-15, believes that the depth of experience held by Beyou, Wislang and Bannatyne across multiple offshore sailing disciplines will combine well with his Chinese and international squad to form a powerful racing team.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou could not ask for more in terms of experience and miles under the keel,\u201d said Caudrelier. \u201cIn Stu and Daryl we have two of New Zealand\u2019s very best offshore racers who know the Volvo Ocean Race inside out. J\u00e9r\u00e9mie may be new to the race, but we are delighted to give him this opportunity and I have huge respect for what he has achieved. In a one-design fleet of Volvo Ocean 65s, having specialist Figaro sailors like him on board is invaluable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Caudrelier revealed that Wislang will be a watch captain on Dongfeng.<\/p>\n
Both Beyou and Bannatyne will sail during the race, with Bannatyne likely to be on board for the main Southern Ocean legs.<\/p>\n
\u201cDaryl is a proven offshore warrior,\u201d said the skipper. \u201cStu has so much experience to share \u2013 especially with our younger sailors \u2013 and J\u00e9r\u00e9mie is eager to learn about, what for him, is a new challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bannatyne first sailed it in 1993-94 onboard New Zealand Endeavour and his love for Southern Ocean is as strong as ever.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe big thing with the Volvo Ocean Race for me is the fast downwind sailing, having no bottom mark to worry about going around, and then of course the camaraderie of the team,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I love being offshore and trying to get the best out of the boat.<\/p>\n
Wislang is eager to continue his \u201clove affair\u201d with the race \u2013 and is particularly looking forward to sailing with Caudrelier.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always had a lot of time for Charles and I know what he did with Dongfeng last time and how good a skipper and team leader he is,\u201d said Wislang.<\/p>\n
The team is currently settling into its permanent base at Lorient in Brittany after delivering its newly-refitted Volvo Ocean 65 there from Lisbon last week. Further crew announcements will be made in the next few weeks.<\/p>\n
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Stuart Bannatyne\u00a0\u00a0(New Zealand)<\/p>\n
Born April 20, 1971<\/p>\n
Lives in Auckland, NZ<\/p>\n
Seven Volvo Ocean Races and three wins with New Zealand Endeavour, Illbruck Challenge, Ericsson 4.<\/p>\n
Broken the 24-hour monohull world speed record on five\u00a0occasions<\/p>\n
New Zealand Yachtsman of the Year in 2009<\/p>\n
Eight Fastnet races, three Transpacs and 11 Sydney Hobarts<\/p>\n
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Daryl Wislang\u00a0(New Zealand)<\/p>\n
Born May 20, 1981<\/p>\n
Lives in Wellington, NZ<\/p>\n
Four previous Volvo Ocean Races and winner in 2014 with Abu Dhabi<\/p>\n
On board Comanche as it set the world 24-hour distance record in the Translatic Race in 2015 and later won the Sydney to Hobart<\/p>\n
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J\u00e9r\u00e9mie Beyou\u00a0(France)<\/p>\n
Born 26 June 1976 in Landivisiau (Finist\u00e8re)<\/p>\n
Lives in Larmor-Plage, France<\/p>\n
Third place in Vend\u00e9e Globe 2016\u00a0(IMOCA Ma\u00eetre CoQ)<\/p>\n
Winner of the New York \u2013 Vend\u00e9e (Les Sables d\u2019Olonne)<\/p>\n
Three times winner of Solitaire du Figaro<\/p>\n
2nd\u00a0in the 2014 Route du Rhum (IMOCA Ma\u00eetre CoQ)<\/p>\n
Winner of Transat Jacques Verbe with Jean-Pierre Dick in 2011<\/p>\n
FTP Link:\u00a0https:\/\/volvooceanrace.brickftp.com\/f\/2b7c4bb87<\/p>\n
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via Vend\u00e9e Globe star J\u00e9r\u00e9mie Beyou takes on Volvo Ocean Race challenge as Dongfeng Race Team name world class trio| Volvo Ocean Race<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Vend\u00e9e Globe star J\u00e9r\u00e9mie Beyou takes on Volvo Ocean Race challenge as Dongfeng Race Team name world class trio Download Benoit Stichelbaut \/ Dongfeng Race Team Download Martin Keruzor\u00e9\/Volvo Ocean race Download Yann Riou\/Volvo Ocean Race Dongfeng skipper Charles Caudrelier … Continue reading