In China, Wouter Verbraak (NED) will join Team Delta Lloyd as navigator,the same role he fulfilled in Team Russia for the first three legs of the Volvo Ocean Race.

Says Wouter: “The Volvo Ocean Race is the pinnacle of sailing and I am very happy to be returning to the race with Team Delta Lloyd. The team is showing great potential, continuous improvement and a fighting spirit; key ingredients in this ocean marathon. I very much look forward to sailing with Chuny and get back in the game together with Guillermo”

Currently, Wouter is sailing the Cape Town to Bahia race with the 90ft maxi Rambler adding another of the Ocean race classics to his already extensive list of podium places in amongst others; the Admiral’s Cup, the TP 52 Med Circuit, Middle Sea Race,  Fastnet, Trans-Atlantic Race and Buenos Aires to Rio. Wouter was co-navigator for the Djuice Dragons team in the 2001-2002 Volvo Ocean Race and was navigator for the French team K-Challenge in the 32nd America’s Cup.

In addition to his on-the-water experience, Wouter is renowned for his shoreside strategy support for shorthanded races such as the Vendee Globe, Route du Rhum and Transat Jacques Vabres and he has advised Olympic sailors in both the 2000 and 2004 Olympics.

“Good and concise communication is key to execute the strategy we develop in the afterguard. I already worked with several of the key members of team Delta Lloyd over the last years, so we will hit the ground running in China. I am looking forward to it.”