Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, ADOR, the professional yacht racing team backed by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority to contest the Volvo Ocean Race, has completed its on-board 2014/15 line-up with the appointment of Daryl Wislang as pitman and boat captain, and Matt Knighton as on-board reporter.
The pair came through the trial periods with flying colours and will make their first official ADOR appearances this week when the team races the Volvo Ocean 65, Azzam, in the Artemis Challenge race, during the Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week, on August 7th.
New Zealander Wislang, who sailed with Simon Fisher on Telefonica Blue and Roberto Chuny Bermudez on CAMPER, said he was impressed by the ADOR crew when he trialled with them across the Atlantic from Portugal to the U.S.A. last month.
"It's obvious as soon as you step on-board Azzam that this is a very well prepared team," Wislang said. "They are working to a well-prepared and well-thought-out plan with solid backing from Abu Dhabi. Coming across the Atlantic we did a tremendous number of sail changes and pretty much everything went off without a hitch." ADOR skipper, Britain's double Olympic silver medallist Ian Walker, said the final crew appointments added further breadth to his multi-national squad.
"Daryl will improve the depth of our trimming and steering as well as being a very accomplished bowman, pitman and sail-maker. This is exactly the kind of versatility that the Volvo Ocean Race requires."
Source: WAM