Kiwi Joins Volvo Ocean Race Crew
Kiwi Volvo Ocean Race veteran Stu Bannatyne has joined Team Alvimedica for leg five of the race from Auckland to Brazil, says a statement from the Team.
Bannatyne has done the Volvo Ocean Race six times, winning three of them.
The New Zealander will start preparing with the crew tomorrow ahead of the leg start from Auckland on March 15.
"Stu brings incredible experience to us for the tough Southern Ocean leg ahead," said Team Alvimedica skipper Charlie Enright.
“The leg that we are about to embark on is like nothing we have seen in this race so far. With most of our crew never having sailed in the Southern Ocean and around Cape Horn, we will benefit from Stu’s knowledge and driving skills on this challenging leg,” Enright said.
Bannatyne, 43, takes over from French bowman/trimmer Seb Marsset, who will help out with the shore crew for the leg and is scheduled to return for the following stage to Newport, Rhode Island.
French race crew Seb Marsset will work from shore with the navigational support team and is scheduled to re-join the race crew for leg six from Brazil to Newport in the United States.
With six Volvo Ocean Races including three wins to his credit, Bannatyne is no stranger to the extreme conditions of the Southern Ocean.
