ABN AMRO ONE's Mark Christensen out of Volvo

by Team ABN AMRO on 25 Dec 2005 ABN AMRO ONE Watch Captain Mark Christensen, aka Crusty, has been ruled out of the Cape Town in-port race and the next leg of the Volvo Ocean to Melbourne after failing to recover for a wrist and arm injury which he sustained during training in Sanxenxo, Spain.

Mark, who has endured considerable pain throughout the first leg of the race, struggled to make a recovery in time and decided last night, along with Skipper Mike Sanderson that he should take no part in the forthcoming inport race and the next Leg. It is hoped that he will be back on board for the 3rd leg from Melbourne to Wellington on 12 February.

'When my arm was first X-rayed, I was told I’d be out for just five weeks” said Mark. When I went back last week for an MRI scan they told me I would need at least another three weeks. It’s been pretty painful throughout so when the Doctor said I’d be crazy to do the leg, we decided I should sit out to give it a chance to fully mend.'

Mark will be replaced by two sailors. Italian, Tommaso Chieffi will take over Mark’s duties for the inport race. Chieffi joins ABN AMRO ONE with a wealth of match racing experience including being part of the 2005/6 Italian America’s Cup syndicate +39. British sailor Brian Thompson will join the crew for the 2nd Leg of the race from Cape Town to Melbourne. Brian comes from an ocean sailing background and has competed in a number of Open 60 races including this year’s Transat Jaques Vabre and last year Brian was part of the crew that won the Oxyx Quest with the maxi-catamaran Doha 2006.

Skipper of ABN AMRO ONE Mike Sanderson said, “It’s always a blow to lose a crew member and someone like Mark is a good guy to have around. However I am really pleased with Crusty’s replacements. In Tommaso we have a first class match racer who can give us that little bit extra for the inport race and in Brian we have a very experienced sailor who knows the Southern Ocean well and can bring that experience with him for the next leg into Melbourne”.

Looking forward to his first experience of the Volvo Ocean Race Brian Thompson said, “I'm very happy and honored to be invited to be part of TEAM ABN AMRO, to sail again with Mike Sanderson and I will be making my best to step into Crusty’s shoes. I’m really looking forward to getting out in ABN AMRO ONE and seeing if they are fast as everyone is saying they are.'

Brian becomes the third Briton to join TEAM ABN AMRO and will link up compatriots Robert Greenhalgh on ABN AMRO ONE and Simon Fisher on ABN AMRO TWO.

Meanwhile Mark will continue his duties with the shore team until fully recovered. With his experience and knowledge of the race he will also join the media team as a commentator and communicate the Volvo Ocean Race experience to the guests of ABN AMRO.