Moscow, Russia: Today at a press conference held at Moscow International Boat Show, skipper Andreas Hanakamp and syndicate president Oleg Zherebtstov announced five key crew members that will join Team Russia to sail in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09.
Photo; Left to right; Andreas Hanakamp, Oleg Zherebtstov and Rodion Luka. Photo by Sergey Bogdanov/Team Russia 2008
In a line up that unites experienced Whitbread and Volvo Ocean Race veterans with Olympic and leading internationals sailors, Team Russia's crew now comprises:
Two former Volvo veterans Guillermo Altadill and Stig Westergaard named as watch captains. Guillermo sailed on Ericsson during the VOR 2005/06 and Assa Abloy in 2001/02. He skipped Estrella Damm in the recent Barcelona World Race and has over 300,000 miles of round the world racing under his belt.
Experienced Volvo Ocean Race and America's Cup sailor Stig Westergaard combines the role of watch captain with performance manager. He is a triple world champion in the Finn and Soling class and is a leading match racing coach, having worked with America's Cup and Olympic sailors.
Olympic silver medallist Rodion Luka takes the job of helmsman. Rodion is currently preparing to sail in the Olympic 49er class in Qingdao, China this August. He has extensive skiff and dinghy racing experience, which is essential for handling high performance Volvo 70's.
Wouter Verbraak is the team navigator. Wouter has competed in the Volvo Ocean Race onboard djuice dragons in 2001/02.
He sailed in the America's Cup, Tour de France a la Voile, Admiral's Cup, Sydney to Hobart, Volvo Baltic Race and advised sailors on strategy and weather in the Volvo Ocean Race, the Vendee Globe, Route du Rhum and the Olympics.
Finally, Vladimir 'Kuli' Kulinichenko who sailed on the first Soviet Whitbread boat Fasizi in 1989/90 and later Odessa and Hetman Sahaidachny, joins the team as sail maker. Kuli has an engineering background and world-class sailing and sail making experience. He has been involved in projects ranging from Whitbread campaigns to schooners, tall ships and IMS racing projects, over the span of thirty years and over 100,000 ocean miles.
Two Russian media team members were also announced today, Leonid Dubeykovskiy and Sergey Bogdanov, who will fill the media berth on some of the legs.
Zherebtsov also took the opportunity to unveil Team Russia's dynamic graphics ahead of the boat leaving Green Marine's yard in Lymington (UK) next month. The distinctive boat identity uses influences from Russian architecture.
www.teamrussia.org
