Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12. Pepe Ribes joins Telefonica

by Volvo Ocean Race on 25 May 2011 Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12.

Team Telefónica have announced that Spanish sailor Pepe Ribes will become a part of their crew. The upcoming VOR will be his fourth but, fifth circumnavigation after his fourth place finish in the Barcelona World Race only a few weeks ago.

Born in Benissa (north of Alicante, Spain), Ribes (39) has already taken part in two of Pedro Campos’ campaigns, sailing with movistar in 2005-06 and Telefónica Blue in 2008-09. 'This is my third Volvo Ocean Race with the team and I want to win it,' he said. 'That’s the case for every regatta, but especially with this one. I hope we are competitive enough to stay in front. We shall form a stronger team than our competitors for us to win this.'

Ribes joins a team led by Olympic champion, Iker Martínez. 'There is no doubt that he is one of the best Spanish sailors,' he said about his skipper.

'He never gives up on the boat. Iker has many characteristics, which led him to succeed in so many ways.'

Martínez is very pleased with his latest recruitment. 'Pepe is a very important person for the team,' he said. 'His experience makes him a key figure on the boat. It is hard to find somebody like him, with such skills and experience.'

As well as being a well-known sailor, Pepe Ribes is also a hydraulics and mechanical systems specialist and will be the boat captain onboard. 'It's a bit like managing the boat,' he explained.

'I'm the one in charge of knowing how the systems work, and coordinating and supervising that the jobs are done on time and helping with everything that the boat or crew may need.'



More about Pepe Ribes

Name and surname: Pepe Ribes Rubio
Age: 39 years old
Place and DOB: Benissa (Alicante, Spain), 19th June 1971
Marital status: Married, one child
Volvo Ocean Race entries: Three

Sailing CV summary

Barcelona World Race 2010-11: Estrella Damm (fourth place)
Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09: Telefónica Blue' (third place)
America’s Cup 2007: Victory Challenge
Spanish Champion GP42 2007: Zurich
Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06: movistar (sixth place)
Volvo Ocean Race 2001-02: Amer Sports ONE' (third place)
America’s Cup 2000: Bravo España

Volco Ocean Race website