MAPFRE complete 2017-18 squad with signing of another America’s Cup ace
MAPFRE complete 2017-18 squad with signing of another America’s Cup ace:
MAPFRE have completed their squad for the 2017-18 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race, announcing a last minute addition – America’s Cup sailor Louis Sinclair* – at a presentation in Sanxenxo, Spain.
The Antiguan athlete joins a team led by skipper Xabi Fernández and featuring six nationalities.
The team were formally presented at the Real Club Náutico de Sanxenxo on Thursday, at en event attended by Spain’s former King Juan Carlos I** and Princess Elena.
The fifth consecutive Spanish Volvo Ocean Race campaign put together by Pedro Campos, MAPFRE could become the first ever Spanish winner of the race in 2017-18, and begins the edition as one of the pre-race favourites for the trophy.
Xabi, who is making his fifth appearance in the race, is joined by watch leaders Pablo Arrarte and Rob Greenhalgh; navigator Joan Vila; Antonio ‘Ñeti’ Cuervas-Mons, Willy Altadill, Sophie Ciszek, Támara Echegoyen, Neal McDonald, and America’s Cup winner Blair Tuke – who could become the first sailor in history to win the Triple Crown.
“This time the race returns to its Southern Ocean roots, and that is a great incentive for us – as sailors, we like it very much,” said Xabi. “The Southern Ocean is always dangerous, and it’s necessary to retain a balance between pushing and being conservative, but this time we will have extra incentive to push as hard as we can because these legs and the transatlantic score double points.”
*You may remember Sinclair from this video he made with his roommate, Tom Johnson… Yay!
**Several of the Spanish royal family have competed as Olympic sailors, including former King Juan Carlos I, Queen Sofia, and current King Felipe.
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Tags: vor, ¡vamos mapfre!.
