The Dongfeng Race Team, led by Frenchman Charles Caudrelier announced on Tuesday 7th March 2017 the arrival of three new crew members aboard the Chinese boat. Two of New Zealand's top sailors - Stu Bannatyne, seven participations in the Volvo Ocean Race and Daryl Wislang, a four-time participant and winner of the last edition with Abu Dhabi Racing - will make their debut for the Asian team. They will be joined by Jeremie Beyou, 3 e of the Vendée Globe and three times winner of the Solitaire du Figaro. He also took part in the delivery of VOR 65 from Lisbon to Lorient, alongside the other members of the team.
The team, which will be sponsored by Dongfeng Motor Corporation, one of the largest automotive companies in China, is continuing to set up at its permanent base in Lorient, Brittany. They have been carrying out a series of crewed tests since they recovered their Volvo Ocean 65, recently refitted in Lisbon.
Charles Caudrelier, team captain and senior skipper of Dongfeng Race Team, said the three great sailors will bring a multi-disciplinary experience to the young recruits that make up the crew. "You couldn't ask for more in terms of experience and miles under the keel. With Stu and Daryl, we have two of the best skippers in New Zealand ocean racing, who know the Volvo Ocean Race from the inside. Jeremie may be new to the Volvo, but we are delighted to give him this opportunity and I have enormous respect for what he has achieved. In this one-design fleet, having Figaro specialists like him on board is invaluable" said Caudrelier.
"From my point of view, it's definitely better to have these guys on our boat - not our rivals'." added Caudrelier. "Daryl is a proven ocean-racing warrior, Stu has so much experience to share - especially with our young sailors - and Jeremiah is eager to learn, and for him, this is a new challenge."
For Beyou, 40 years old, racing aboard the Dongfeng Race Team is a welcome change of pace after doing the Vendée Globe on his Open 60, Maître Coq.
"I'm going to have to get used to being part of a team of sailors. It's a really exciting challenge. We have high expectations for a good result and we have exactly what we need to do it well. I'm looking forward to sailing with the team again and trying to improve to be the best in October for the start of the race" says the French skipper.
He appreciates the eclectic mix of sailors that characterises the Chinese team, as he explains, " Dongfeng is an interesting team because we have crew members of different ages, nationalities and backgrounds - from single-handed racers to dinghy racers to former Volvo skippers. There's a great spirit on board and everyone is helping each other - it's a great feeling."
It's a new blank page that Jeremie Beyou will be able to write, he who has always dreamed of taking part in it, but never did. However, he will be missing out on a few stages in order to be able to concentrate on his 2020 Vendée Globe project. For the moment, the skipper is still looking for a sponsor after his partnership with Maître Coq comes to an end. He will also be in the Solitaire du Figaro this summer.
