One of Spain\u2019s leading sailors, Javier de la Plaza, has been called up by Team Brunel (Bouwe Bekking\/NED) to fill an important gap in their Volvo Ocean Race crew (full story below).<\/p>\n
– Team Brunel sign up top Spanish sailor De la Plaza<\/p>\n
– Telef\u00f3nica partnership with Bekking is renewed<\/p>\n
– De Ridder leaves to honour non-race commitments<\/p>\n
ALICANTE, Spain, April 8 \u2013 One of Spain\u2019s leading sailors, Javier de la Plaza, has been called up by Team Brunel (Bouwe Bekking\/NED) to fill an important gap in their Volvo Ocean Race crew.<\/p>\n
After Frenchman Laurent Pag\u00e8s was forced out through injury, Dirk de Ridder (NED) stepped in for Leg 5, which the Dutch boat completed on Sunday in fourth place behind winners, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (Ian Walker\/GBR).<\/p>\n
However, De Ridder has explained that he has existing commitments outside the race and cannot continue.<\/p>\n
De la Plaza should make the perfect replacement, according to skipper Bekking.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew in advance that Dirk de Ridder had other commitments and could only sail with us on one leg,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cJavier is an excellent replacement. I know him from my time with Telef\u00f3nica. He\u2019s the best genoa trimmer in Europe and an excellent helmsman.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Spaniard sailed for Telef\u00f3nica Black in the 2008-09 edition \u2013 Bekking was skipper of Telef\u00f3nica Blue \u2013 and has an enviable competitive record.<\/p>\n
In 2000, he was world champion in the 49er \u2013 a two-man dinghy that is a favourite of Volvo Ocean Race skippers such as MAPFRE\u2019S Iker Mart\u00ednez and Team Vestas Wind\u2019s Chris Nicholson.<\/p>\n
In the same class, he won silver and bronze at the European Championships in 1999 and 2001.<\/p>\n
He took fourth place in the 49er class at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. He also recorded many victories in the eight-metre J\/80 keelboat culminating in gold at the 2007 and 2010 world Championships.<\/p>\n
Last year, De la Plaza was mostly active in the Melges 32 and TP52 one-design classes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was asked to sail on Telef\u00f3nica Black in 2008, it was my biggest dream come true. Apart from the America\u2019s Cup, the Volvo Ocean Race is the pinnacle of sailing,\u201d said De la Plaza.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery top sailor has to sail in the Volvo Ocean Race at least once in his lifetime. I\u2019m specialised in trimming, but I still love to drive a boat. I\u2019m going to try to achieve a good result with the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Volvo Ocean Race latest standings (after Leg 5, lowest points wins, in-port race series separate ties): 1) Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing 9 pts, 2) Dongfeng Race Team (China) 16, 3) Team Brunel (Netherlands) 18, 4) MAPFRE (Spain) 18, 5) Team Alvimedica (Turkey\/U.S.) 19, 6) Team SCA (Sweden) 29, 7) Team Vestas Wind (Denmark) 36.<\/p>\n
via Welcome aboard!| Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" One of Spain\u2019s leading sailors, Javier de la Plaza, has been called up by Team Brunel (Bouwe Bekking\/NED) to fill an important gap in their Volvo Ocean Race crew (full story below). – Team Brunel sign up top Spanish sailor … Continue reading