For the next edition of the Volvo Ocean Race which will start on 22 October 2017, the race organisation has introduced 10 new features. One of them concerns the crew feminization to open the race more broadly to women. From now on, crews will be limited to 7 crew members for 100% male crews (one less than in 2014-2015). Mixed crews will be able to welcome more crew members and choose between different combinations: seven men and two women, five men and five women, or 11 women.
Donfgeng Race Team has therefore applied this new rule by integrating two women into the team: Carolijn Brouwer and Marie Riou. The two women sailors will bring significant experience to the Franco-Chinese team, as they have between them five Olympic Games participations and numerous world titles.
They join Jérémie Beyou Stu Bannatyne and Darvi Wislang, who were announced last week. They were chosen following a programme of sailing and racing tests, both regatta and offshore, in Australia and Portugal.
Carolijn Brouwer
Carolijn Brouwer is a 43-year-old Dutch sailor and one of the most respected sailors of her generation. She has already competed in the Volvo Ocean Race twice. The first with Amer Sports Two in 2001-02, the second with Team SCA in 2014-15. She has also competed three times in the Olympic Games and was named World Sailor of the Year.
"I chose Carolijn because she beat us many times in the last Volvo when she was at the helm of Team SCA on the In-Port heats. We all knew she was a great helmswoman because she raced in Olympic Sailing and I have a lot of respect for that. Her Olympic experience has made her a very fast helmswoman and she knows where to put the boat comments Charles Caudrelier, skipper of the Dongfeng Race Team.
Carolin Brouwer, who has been passionate about the Volvo Ocean Race for several years, says she is very happy to join the Chinese team she admired in the previous edition.
"I'm very proud to be part of the team. One of the reasons I wanted to join Dongfeng is their great team spirit. The Volvo Ocean Race is a great race. It's the most difficult race mentally and physically and when you're part of a team, you get the best out of everyone indicates the navigator.
Marie Riou
Marie Riou The 35-year-old French sailor is known for her fine performances in the Nacra 17, alongside Billy Besson. She is known for her participation in the Olympic Games, including the last ones in Rio, and four world championship titles in the Nacra 17.
"She has a lot of experience, and she's a great Olympian. And she comes from Brittany, so she also knows about ocean racing. She is solid, has a very good state of mind, which I think is most important, and she is used to sailing with boys. The Volvo Ocean Race was a dream for her, and like Carolijn, she wants to win!" indicates Charles Caudrelier.
For Marie Riou, this will be her first participation in the crewed round-the-world race with stopovers. "I've wanted to run the Volvo Ocean Race since I was ten years old! Even though I have more of a racing background, I've always wanted to race offshore, and for me the Volvo Ocean Race is the best in crewed racing."
