Team Delta Lloyd announce crew changes

by Volvo Ocean Race media on 11 Nov 2008 Team Delta Lloyd have rung in the changes for the second leg of the Volvo Ocean Race to Cochin, India by appointing Roberto Bérmudez de Castro as skipper and naming a further two new crew members.

The Spanish veteran, 38, replaces Ger O’Rourke, who announced before the race start in Alicante that business interests would prevent him from sailing leg two, leg three, and the mammoth leg five from Qingdao to Rio de Janeiro.

It is not currently known whether O’Rourke will be available to return to the boat for the other legs, meaning Bérmudez, taking on this race for the fourth time, has been placed in charge long-term.

He is joined by fellow newcomers, Dutchman Peter van Niekerk and Australia's Morgan White, who step onboard for Bert Schandevyl and Stu Molloy respectively.

'I have followed Delta Lloyd throughout the first leg (in which they finished seventh) and I think they have done a nice job,' said Bérmudez, a crewmember onboard Team Galicia 93 – Pescanova in the 1993-04 race, Assa Abloy in 2001-02 and Brasil 1 last time round.

'I have some friends on the team, such as (watch leader) Stuart Wilson. I have done this race two times with him.

'This is going to be my fourth participation in the race and to be here with Delta Lloyd is a great opportunity. My aim and objective is to help the crew as much as possible.'

O’Rourke hopes the changes will enable Delta Lloyd to contend for top-three finishes. He added: 'On behalf of Team Delta Lloyd, I would like to welcome Roberto and the new crew members. The team objective is to raise performance to podium level.'

Van Niekerk, 36, has been sailing with two-time America’s Cup winners Alinghi since 2000 and returns for his second lap having raced as a trimmer onboard Brunel Sunergy in 1997-98.

White, 23, gained professional experience in classes as TP52 and Farr 40 and will join Ed van Lierde on the bow with Gerd-Jan Poortman continuing as trimmer, pitman and helmsman.