Xabi Fernandez. MAPFRE.
A double Olympic medallist, Xabi won gold in Athens in 2004 and followed that up with a silver in Beijing four years later. One of the most highly regarded Volvo Ocean Race sailors of the modern era, he has participated in four editions and has been part of every Spanish campaign since 2005-06. A strong leader, Xabi takes over the campaign as full-time skipper for the first time after deputising for Iker MartÃnez on some legs in 20-14-15.
Previous Volvo Oceans Races:
2014-15 MAPFRE
2011-12 Telefónica
2008-09 Telefónica Blue
2005-06 Movistar
Turn the Tide on Plastic. Henry Bomby
Bomby is one of Britain's most promising young sailors and comes into the Volvo Ocean Race having competed in four Solitaire du Figaro campaigns as well as over two years racing onboard MOD70 trimaran Phaedo 3. With over 30,000 nm under his belt, the Artemis Offshore Academy graduate makes the step up to the Volvo Ocean Race in 2017-18 keen to tick off a long-held round-the-world ambition.
Leg 02, Lisbon to Cape Town, day 10 on board Vestas 11th Hour. drone shot at the morning. Photo by Martin Keruzore/Volvo Ocean Race. 14 November, 2017.
Leg 02, Lisbon to Cape Town, day 19, on board MAPFRE, Antonio Cuervas-Mons at the bow during a pilling, Sophie Ciszek holding the sail behind him. Photo by Ugo Fonolla/Volvo Ocean Race. 23 November, 2017.
Leg 3, Cape Town to Melbourne, day 14, Christmas Eve with John Fisher on the wheel and Tom Clout on the mainsheet on board Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag. Photo by Konrad Frost/Volvo Ocean Race. 24 December, 2017
Leg 4, Melbourne to Hong Kong, day 02 on board Dongfeng. Nice down wind conditions heading north. High speed waterfall at the sunset. Photo by Martin Keruzore/Volvo Ocean Race. 03 January, 2018.
Leg 9, from Newport to Cardiff, day 04 on board Turn the Tide on Plastic. Liz Wardley and Lucas Chapman under water at the bow during a peeling j1 to j2. 23 May, 2018.
Marie Riou. Dongfeng Race Team.
A Volvo Ocean Race newbie, Riou comes into the event fresh from competing in the 2016 and 2012 Olympic Games. She’s a multiple world champion, having made a name for herself in the Nacra 17 class alongside long-time sailing partner Billy Besson – and links up with Dongfeng keen to test her mettle offshore.
Vestas 11th Hour Racing. Simon Fisher
The man universally known as SiFi makes his fifth Volvo Ocean Race appearance in 2017-18 – and returns to the race a winner, having won the trophy onboard Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing in 2014-15. He was previously the navigator for Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing in 2011-12, Telefónica Blue in 2008-09 and ABN AMRO TWO in 2005-06. He also sailed two America’s Cup in 2001 and 2006 – and he brings a lot to a team he knows well.
Previous Volvo Ocean Races:
2014-15 Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing
2011-12 Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing
2008-09 Telefónica Blue
2005-06 ABN AMRO TWO
Bouwe Bekking. Team Brunel.
Bouwe returns to the race which has been his life's obsession for 30 years with an eighth attempt at winning the trophy in 2017-18. Having twice finished runner-up and skippered two campaigns, he is more eager than ever to win – and with a Dutch team.
Previous Volvo Ocean Races:
2014-15 Team Brunel
2008-09 Telefónica Blue
2005-06 movistar
2001-02 Amer Sports One
1997-98 Merit Cup
1993-94 Winston
1985-86 Philips Innovator
Photo by Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race
Bouwe Bekking. Team Brunel.
Bouwe returns to the race which has been his life's obsession for 30 years with an eighth attempt at winning the trophy in 2017-18. Having twice finished runner-up and skippered two campaigns, he is more eager than ever to win – and with a Dutch team.
Previous Volvo Ocean Races:
2014-15 Team Brunel
2008-09 Telefónica Blue
2005-06 movistar
2001-02 Amer Sports One
1997-98 Merit Cup
1993-94 Winston
1985-86 Philips Innovator
Photo by Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race
Leg 02, Lisbon to Cape Town, day 01, start on board Vestas 11th Hour. wet and windy start. Photo by Martin Keruzore/Volvo Ocean Race. 05 November, 2017.
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