Stu Bannatyne joins Dongfeng Race Team for 2017/18 Volvo Ocean Race

by Ellie Brade on 7 Mar 2017 Doyle Sails New Zealand is proud that a core member of its grand prix sales and support team, Stu Bannatyne, has just been announced as one of the members of the Dongfeng Race Team for the 2017-2018 Volvo Ocean Race (VOR).

This prestigious race is known as one of the sailing calendar’s most challenging and Bannatyne’s appointment is a credit to his reputation as one of the sailing world’s best respected and experienced offshore sailors. A seven-time veteran of the race, with three wins to date, this edition of the VOR will be Bannatyne’s eighth – an impressive record.

Bannatyne’s involvement in the 2017/2018 edition of the race ensures important insight into the demands of offshore yachting, experience which then directly translates back into the Doyle product range. His position on the Dongfeng team will complement his role at Doyle Sails NZ and, with Bannatyne spending more time in Europe working with the Dongfeng team, Doyle’s potential and existing international customers will be able to benefit directly from his added presence in Europe.
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“I am looking forward to the challenge and am excited that Dongfeng have put together a programme which on paper should be well placed for a good chance of success in the race,” says Bannatyne. “The Volvo Ocean Race is the world’s leading grand prix crewed around the world race and my further participation will only increase the experience and advice I can offer to our customers in support of their own racing campaigns.”

In addition to Bannatyne, many of the Doyle Sails New Zealand team have had a historic involvement with the VOR including Richard Bouzaid’s win on Yamaha in the 1993/1994 edition, Justin Ferris with three Volvo race campaigns, and Mike Sanderson, CEO of Doyle Sails New Zealand, a two time winner of the race and recipient of the ISAF World Sailor of the Year Award following his first place in the 2005-2006 race as skipper of ABN Amro I, when he became the youngest skipper to ever win the VOR.

“The Volvo Ocean race is exciting and challenging in equal parts, always driving new racing tactics and technologies, and we are glad to be continuing our long term relationship with the race through Stu’s involvement,” says Sanderson. “We are looking forward to watching Stu race in the 2017/2018 edition and are proud to have such a strong team on board at Doyle Sails NZ as we continue to develop and grow the maxi racing division of the company.”

Contact Doyle Sails NZ - Please get in touch with any sail enquiries you have or any service work you would like to schedule. We are keen to assist in both early stage planning and advice on sails for new builds, whatever stage of the build schedule you are at.

Mike Sanderson (CEO) – mikes@doylesails.co.nz
David Duff (Managing Director) – duffy@doylesails.co.nz
Richard Bouzaid (Design Director) – richard@doylesails.co.nz

Chris McMaster (Sales) - chris@doylesails.co.nz
Matt Bridge (Superyacht Sail Co-ordinator) - mattb@doylesails.co.nz
Andy Pilcher - (Local, Pacific and Asia Sales) - andyp@doylesails.co.nz
Justin Ferris (Sales | Racing Technology | Design) - justinf@doylesails.co.nz
Stu Bannatyne (Grand Prix Race Sales & Projects) -stu.bannatyne@doylesails.co.nz
Guillermo Altadill (Grand Prix Race Sales) - guillermo.altadill@doylesails.co.nz
Will Tiller (Sales Consultant) - will.tiller@doylesails.co.nz
Andrew Brown (One Design Manager) - andrew.brown@doylesails.co.nz
Daniel Fong (Sail Design) - daniel.fong@doylesails.co.nz
Chris Blunden (Project Manager) - chris.blunden@doylesails.co.nz
John Martin (Cruising Sails Rep) - john.martin@doylesails.co.nz
Peter Boyd (BOI/Pacific Rep) - peter.boyd@doylesails.co.nz

Toby Scoones (Service Manager) - tobys@doylesails.co.nz
Robert Eades (Head of Marine Trimmings) - robert@doylesails.co.nz
Nick Nicholson (Rigging Manager) - nickn@doylerigging.com