Pedro Campos to helm Telefonica Black for Volvo In-Port race

by Riath Al-Samarrai on 4 Apr 2009
The teams for the Volvo In-Port race are in and there is no shortage of surprises.

Ericsson 3 navigator Aksel Magdahl, whose bold strategic call paved the way for a shock leg five win, will not be taking part, choosing instead to rest in Norway before returning for leg six.

Magnus Woxen takes over navigational duties, while Richard Mason, injured for leg five, fills the void. Tactician Rasmus Kostner and mainsail grinder Jann Neergaard are the team's two permitted extra.

On Telefonica Black, there was also a surprise shuffling of the pack. Olympic gold medallist Anton Paz was announced as their new media crewmember last week, but skipper Fernando Echavarri revealed he will be full member of the team for the in-port race.

Offshore navigator Roger Nilson will temporarily assume media duties, while double Olympic champion Luis Doreste is their inshore tactician. Thirteen-time world champion Pedro Campos will helm the boat, and other recruits that didn't sail leg four include Inigo Losada, and Maciel Cicchetti. Michael Pammenter sailed leg five on Telefonica Blue, but returns to the Black boat. Mikel Pasabant, Francisco Rivero and David Vera, who all sailed leg four, are not involved.

Telefonica Blue have also made notable changes with Simon Fisher taking the role of navigator from Tom Addis, who is resting after leg five.

Laurent Pages, Pepe Ribes and Daryl Wislang all missed the last leg through injury, but are back onboard. Vera sailed leg five because of Telefonica Black's absence, but is not involved on either team, while Pammenter returns to Echavarri's crew. Federico Giovanelli and Carlo Castellano are new faces to the team.

Puma have drafted in Joe Fanelli, Andrew Taylor, Shannon Falcone and general manager Kimo Worthington, who won the race onboard EF Language. Erle Williams and Michi Mueller are on leave, but will return for leg six.

Ericsson 4 goes into the In-Port Race with the same crew that has been aboard for all five offshore legs. They're joined by America's Cup Class grinders Brian MacInnes and Joe Spooner, who both missed the Qingdao In-Port Race due to conflicting commitments.

'Puck (McInnes) and Joe are here already,' said Stu Bannatyne, their in-port tactican. 'They missed China, but are keen to get back into it. It's nice to have that America's Cup grinder horsepower to help us out.'

Green Dragon welcome back Ian Moore - in place of Wouter Verbraak, who has joined Delta Lloyd - while Jim Carroll, Johnny Mordaunt, Julien Cressant are also added. Phil Harmer is on leave.

Delta Lloyd have overhauled their team. Marcelo Ferreira brings three Olympic medals' worth of experience to the fold, while Verbraak makes his debut, as do Nick Bice, Ben Costello and Dave Miller.

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