Outimage Australia - VOR 2008-2009 - Green Dragon announces 2 crew changes for Leg 3

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Green Dragon announces two crew changes for Leg 3
14:13 GMT Wednesday, Dec 10 2008.

The Green Dragon Team has announced two crew changes for Leg 3 of the Volvo Ocean Race from Cochin to Singapore, which starts on Saturday 13th December 2008.

Navigator Ian Moore and Pitman Tom Braidwood will stand down for the short 10 day leg to Singapore. The duo will re-join the crew in Singapore for the remainder of the race. These changes have been planned since the start of the race and will not be the last of the rotations onboard.

Green Dragon at the start of leg 2 of the Volvo Ocean Race from Cape Town, South Africa to Cochin, India.

Photo © Rick Tomlinson / Volvo Ocean Race.

Green Dragon at the start of leg 2 of the Volvo Ocean Race from Cape Town, South Africa to Cochin, India. Photo copyright Rick Tomlinson / Volvo Ocean Race.

Taking their place onboard the Dragon will be a veteran of four previous Whitbread / Volvo Ocean Races, navigator Steve Hayles and Volvo Ocean Race first timer James Carroll who is transferring from his role on shore as Green Dragon’s boat captain to pitman.

"It has always been part of our agreement with some crew members that they will miss certain legs. It is a long race and it can pay to allow some crew members to have a break. Having Steve and James onboard will be a new experience for everyone and I am sure they will fit in really well. Steve has a huge amount of experience of this race and James knows the boat inside and out so I am sure that will be invaluable to the guys onboard," said Skipper Ian Walker of his new crew-members.

Skipper Ian Walker helming in rough seas, onboard Green Dragon, during leg 2 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Cape Town, South Africa to Cochin, India.

Photo © Guo Chuan / Green Dragon Racing / Volvo Ocean Race.

Steve Hayles has over 15 years of professional yacht racing experience in grand prix inshore and offshore events, which includes competing in four previous Whitbread / Volvo Ocean Races, as well as being one of the navigators for BMW Oracle America’s Cup Team during the last edition of the Cup. He was just 20 when he took on his first Whitbread race in 1993 and he still holds the record as the youngest navigator to ever complete the race. Steve was also involved as a consultant for the navigation systems during the build of Green Dragon in China.

"Although it is only for a short time, it will be great to step onboard, I’ve sailed with many of the crew before and I’m looking forward to it. Whilst this new leg is only 10 days long, it has the potential to be technically very difficult and I’m looking forward to the challenge," said Hayles.

Andrew McLean checks the mast in rough conditions, onboard Green Dragon, during leg 2 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Cape Town, South Africa to Cochin, India.

Photo © Guo Chuan / Green Dragon Racing / Volvo Ocean Race.

James Carroll first worked with skipper Ian Walker when he project managed the build of the TP52 ‘Patches’ in China. James has sailed onboard Green Dragon during the boat trials in the lead up to the start of the Volvo Ocean Race in Alicante. In 2006 James raced in the Sydney Hobart aboard Maximus and has also won the Maxi World Championships aboard both Alfa Romeo and Black Dragon. James will be stepping off land for this leg as he leaves his daily role of Green Dragon Boat Captain behind, this will be his first Volvo Ocean Race experience.

"It will be an amazing experience to sail onboard Green Dragon during this leg. It isn’t often that you are offered an opportunity like this so I jumped at the chance. I know it’s going to be a tricky leg with plenty of surprises!" said Carroll.

Freddie Shanks grinding on rough weather, onboard Green Dragon, during leg 2 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Cape Town, South Africa to Cochin, India.

Photo © Guo Chuan / Green Dragon Racing / Volvo Ocean Race.

Confirmed Green Dragon crew list for Leg 3

Skipper: Ian Walker (GBR)
Watch Leader: Damian Foxall (IRL)
Watch-leader: Neal McDonald (GBR)
Navigator: Steve Hayles (GBR)
Bowman: Justin Slattery (IRL)
Pit / Trimmer: James Carroll (IRL)
Pit / Trim / Helm: Anthony Merrington (AUS)
Bowman / Trimer / Pitman: Andrew Mclean (NZ)
Driver / Trimmer / Sailmaker: Phil Harmer (AUS)
Bowman: Freddy Shanks (GBR)
Media Crew Member: Guo Chuan (CHN)

Read more news at greendragonracing.com.

Visit www.volvooceanrace.org for all the latest news!

The Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 will be the 10th running of this ocean marathon. Starting from Alicante in Spain, on 4 October 2008 with in-port racing, it will, for the first time, take in Cochin, India, Singapore and Qingdao, China before finishing in St Petersburg, Russia for the first time in the history of the race.

Spanning some 37,000 nautical miles, stopping at 11 ports and taking nine months to complete, the Volvo Ocean Race is the world's premier yacht race for professional racing crews.

The official website: www.volvooceanrace.org

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