New Zealander Stu Bannatyne, one of the Volvo Ocean Race\u2019s most experienced and toughest competitors, is joining Team Alvimedica (Charlie Enright\/USA) for Leg 5, the most demanding stage of the event (full story below).<\/p>\n
– Kiwi Stu returns to boost Team Alvimedica<\/p>\n
– Southern Ocean know-how will assist young crew<\/p>\n
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, March 9 \u2013 New Zealander Stu Bannatyne, one of the Volvo Ocean Race\u2019s most experienced and toughest competitors, is joining Team Alvimedica (Charlie Enright\/USA) for Leg 5, the toughest stage of the event.<\/p>\n
Bannatyne is the ideal addition to the young crew for the treacherous Southern Ocean leg, with six races under his belt including three victories.<\/p>\n
He takes over from bowman\/trimmer Seb Marsset (FRA), who will help out with the shore crew for the leg and is scheduled to \u00a0return for the following stage to Newport, Rhode Island.<\/p>\n
Team Alvimedica have already made an impressive start to their debut Volvo Ocean Race campaign, earning a podium place with third in Leg 3 and fourth in the next stage from Sanya to Auckland.<\/p>\n
However, skipper Enright appreciates that they will need all the know-how they can muster for the 6,776-nautical mile journey from New Zealand to Itaja\u00ed, southern Brazil, starting on Sunday, March 15.<\/p>\n
It will take them through the Southern Ocean and around Cape Horn. Memories are still fresh from the last edition in 2011-12 when the fleet was ravaged by breakages with mountainous 15-metre waves causing havoc on the boats.<\/p>\n
\u201cStu brings incredible experience to us for the tough Southern Ocean leg ahead,\u201d said Enright.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe leg that we are about to embark on is like nothing we have seen in this race so far.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith most of our crew never having sailed in the Southern Ocean and around Cape Horn, we will benefit from Stu\u2019s knowledge and driving skills on this challenging leg.\u201d<\/p>\n
Enright added: \u201cStu sailed a trans-Atlantic training leg with us last summer and provided some invaluable insights and has continued to be a sounding board for us since the race started.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bannatyne, 43, is relishing the challenge of another Southern Ocean crossing. \u201cThe next leg with its huge waves and sustained winds of sometimes over 40 knots is the most demanding of the race.<\/p>\n
\u201cKnowing when to throttle back may be as important as pushing the limits. I hope I can help Charlie and the guys in their first Southern Ocean passage.\u201d<\/p>\n
The leg, the fifth of nine, begins at 1400 NZ time\/0200 CET on Sunday. In all, the boats will cover 38,739nm, visiting 11 ports and every continent before the conclusion of the race in Gothenburg, Sweden on June 27.<\/p>\n
Team Alvimedica race crew for Leg 5: Stu Bannatyne, 43, (NZL); Alberto Bolzan, 32, (ITA); Nick Dana, 28, (USA); Charlie Enright, 30, (USA); Ryan Houston, 32, (NZL); Will Oxley, 49, (AUS); Dave Swete, 30, (NZL); Mark Towill, 26, (USA); and Onboard Reporter Amory Ross, 30, (USA).<\/p>\n
via Bannatyne\u2019s back in business| Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" New Zealander Stu Bannatyne, one of the Volvo Ocean Race\u2019s most experienced and toughest competitors, is joining Team Alvimedica (Charlie Enright\/USA) for Leg 5, the most demanding stage of the event (full story below). – Kiwi Stu returns to boost … Continue reading