Jens Dolmer and Pablo Arrarte to join Team Brunel
by Anita van Oeveren 20 Jan 2014 14:08 GMT
20 January 2014
Jens Dolmer (DEN, 44) and Pablo Arrarte (ESP, 33) will join Team Brunel in the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race. Both sailors will return to 'Life at the Extreme' and for Arrarte it will be a reunion with Dutch Team Brunel skipper Bouwe Bekking.
In 2008 Pablo Arrarte made his debut to the Volvo Ocean Race onboard of Telefonica Blue, skippered by Bekking. In the last edition he helmed the Spanish VO70 Telefónica. Arrarte: 'Doing my third Volvo is a big challenge, as I am not under 30 anymore. Now I can add my experience to the team. I am looking forward to sail in this new boat, where everything will be more equal than ever seen." His motivation for his third participation is clear: 'I want to win this time. I am thankful that Bouwe gives me the opportunity to sail with him again in this race."
Pablo Arrarte started his sailing career on the Olympic circuit, competing in the Finn and Star classes. He took a tenth place at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games in the latter. Following his move into the Volvo Ocean Race he has competed in many Spanish and international regattas, such as the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, Super Yachts Cup, the ORC 670 World Championships, the King's Cup and the Round Britain & Ireland Race, among others.
Bouwe Bekking is pleased to have him back on the team: 'I met Pablo(patan) for the first time onboard of the Bribon TP52. I selected him for Telefonica Blue, so I have been around the planet with him. He is strong like an ox, a superb trimmer and a very fast helmsman, always giving 100 percent. Last race he was with Telefonica again, so he has even more experience this time around."
Jens Dolmer
Danish sailor Jens Dolmer will go for his second attempt to take the overall win in one of the most challenging round the world yacht races. In the 2008-09 edition, he made his first appearance with Ericsson 3. Dolmer about his return: 'Volvo Ocean Race is one of the greatest achievement in sailing. After having done it one time, I am coming back for more and will try to win it! Being part of this great team - Team Brunel - and sailing with some of the best sailors in the world, can provide The Winning Team."
Furthermore, Dolmer's experience include the 2005-07 America's Cup with Victory Challenge, winner of the Pineapple Cup, Trans Atlantic Race, several times winner of Maxi Worlds and 5 year on the Match Race Tour.
Skipper Bekking: "Since my last Volvo Ocean Race Jens, the great Dane, has been onboard of most of the campaigns I have been involved with. He's rock solid in whatever position you place him, competitive and a team player. In addition to his technical skills, he is a very nice person to have around, superb."
Selection
Following last week's selection program, Team Brunel will announce four potential crew members on Wednesday January 22. They will sail the Dutch Volvo Ocean 65 from Southampton to the team base at Lanzarote, where they will join the training program.
Team Brunel is the fourth team to confirm its participation in the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race, the other three being the Swedish team SCA, Team Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) and Team Dongfeng (China). Another three teams are expected to follow in the next few months.