Volvo Ocean Race - Aussie Andrew Cape to join Team Brunel

by Diana Bogaards on 4 Feb 2014 Aussie born and one of the world's most respected navigators, Andrew Cape, will join Team Brunel in the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15. With already five editions and an overall second place under the belt, the 51-year old Australian is still eager to do another one. Re-united with his former skipper Bouwe Bekking, the experienced couple is aiming for the highest possible in crewed offshore racing: winning the Volvo Ocean Race.

Team Brunel skipper Bouwe Bekking is delighted to welcome Andrew Cape back onboard: 'We have sailed many races together and as well around the planet, so we know each other very well. Capey is a topper. He has won nearly everything you can win, but the Volvo Ocean Race is missing on his CV. Besides the navigation, he is a superb sailor with a sense of humor, who with his remarks can make you laugh in the toughest situations.'

Cape and Bekking already joined forces with movistar in the 2005-06 Volvo Ocean Race. The year after Cape teamed up with Alex Thomson for the double-handed 2007-08 Barcelona Round the World Race, in which they finished second.

He did not have long to recover, as PUMA Ocean Racing Team was calling for the 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race, Cape's third participation. They took a second place overall, which is Cape's best performance in world's leading crewed offshore race so far.

In the last edition he returned with Team Telefónica. He then disappeared behind the scenes of another respected round the world race: the Vendee Globe 2012-13. Cape helped his former co-skipper Alex Thomson out with his strategy for the non-stop singlehanded Vendee Globe in which Thomson took third position overall.

As off today February 3rd 2014, Andrew Cape will return to the sea with Team Brunel. His role as navigator is fundamental to the team's tactics and strategy. He will gather and analyze all available meteorological information that is needed for plotting the course well. With his knowledge of six circumnavigations of the globe, five victories in the Sydney Hobart Races and the America's Cup to his name, Cape knows how to play this game.

Cape: 'It is great to be involved with such a good team. The coming Volvo race will won by the sailors aboard. I can't wait to get on the water and prove our full potential.'

Andrew Cape in the Volvo Ocean Race :
• 2011-12 Team Telefónica
• 2008-09 Puma
• 2005-06 movistar - Ericsson
• 1997-98 Toshiba
• 1993-94 Tokio

Other sailing highlights :
• America's Cup - Alinghi, winner 2003
• 2007 Barcelona World Race, second Hugo Boss
• Admiral's Cup - 7 Admiral's Cup with two wins, UK and Dutch team
• Fastnet Race -12 races
• Sydney to Hobart - 15 races, three handicap and two line honour wins
• Broken 24 hr speed record three times

America's Cup :
• oneAustralia 1995
• Alinghi 2003 Winner

World titles
• Mumm 36
• IACC
• IMS 50
• 12Metre ?
• Mini Transat Volvo Ocean Team Brunel website