Volvo Ocean Race - Javier de la Plaza on board Team Brunel for leg 6

by Team Brunel - Robbert-Jan Metselaar on 8 Apr 2015 Volvo Ocean Race - Owing to other sailing commitments, Dirk de Ridder was recruited by Team Brunel only for the fifth leg. Because Laurent Pagès will not be returning to Team Brunel, De Ridder will be replaced by the Spanish sailor Javier de la Plaza. This skilled trimmer was a member of the Telefónica Black crew in the Volvo Ocean Race of 2008/2009.

“I’ll soon be flying home to spend two days with my family and after that I’ll be flying to the Caribbean where I’ll be taking part in the Les Voiles de Saint-Barth race on the 30-metre supermaxi Comanche,” says De Ridder. “I’ve signed up with the Comanche team for the whole sailing season, but I do have mixed feelings. I liked being part of Team Brunel.'

Javier de la Plaza has won many major sailing trophies. In 2000, he was world champion in the 49er – a spectacular two-man dinghy that is a favourite of Volvo Ocean Race skippers such as Iker Martínez and Chris Nicholson. In the same class, he won silver and bronze at the European Championships in 1999 and 2001. He took fourth place in the 49er class at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. He also recorded many victories in the 8-metre J/80 keelboat culminating in gold at the 2007 and 2010 world Championships. Last year, De la Plaza was mostly active in the Melges 32 and TP52 one-design classes.

“When I was asked to sail on Telefónica Black in 2008, my biggest dream come true. Apart from the America’s Cup, the Volvo Ocean Race is the pinnacle of sailing,” says Javier de la Plaza. “Every top sailor has to sail in the Volvo Ocean Race at least once in his lifetime. I’m specialized in trimming, but I still love to drive a boat. I’m going to try to achieve a good result with the team.”

“We knew in advance that Dirk de Ridder had other commitments and could only sail with us on one leg,” says Bouwe Bekking. “Javier is an excellent replacement. I know him from my time with Telefónica. He’s the best genoa trimmer in Europe and an excellent helmsman.”

Javier de la Plaza’s track record

1999 - European Championship 49er - Second

2000 - At the Sydney Olympic Games 49er - Fourth

2000 - World Championship 49er - First

2001 - European Championship 49er - Third

2001 - World Championship 49er - Fourth

2002 - World Championship 49er - Fourth

2007, 2010 - World Championship J80 - First

2010, 2012 - World Championship Rolex Mini-Maxi Aegir - First

2008,09 – Volvo Ocean Race, Telefónica Black – Sixth

2011 - Audi MedCup Soto 40 – First

2011 - America's Cup AC45 Green Comm Racing

2013 - VTR Championship Soto 40 - First

2014 - World Championship TP 52 - Second

2014 - World Championship Melges 32 – third