The Chinese team is named after the automotive company Dongfeng Commercial Vehicle. This is the third participation for the up-and-coming sailing nation after Green Dragon (2008/09, skippered by Ian Walker) and Team Sanya (2011/12). The campaign is also intended to serve training purposes and put Chinese ocean sailing in a position to compete in the next race with a purely national team if possible.
The team
Apart from the skipper, only trimmer Martin Strömberg has experience of taking part, having done so twice. It is a first for everyone else. Four Chinese were part of the crew during training and had to be made fit for the challenge in just ten months. After mistakes in the trial regatta, only two Chinese were entered for the first leg. Overall, these are not ideal conditions for competing against the experienced opponents. The team can only play the role of outsider.
The skipper
Charles Caudrelier, 40, won the last race with the French team Groupama. He was helmsman and trimmer. The Frenchman also won the legendary Solitaire du Figaro single-handed regatta and the double-handed Transat Jacques Vabre across the Atlantic.
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
