First team announced for the 2017-8 Volvo Ocean Race

Team AkzoNobel to fly the flag for the Netherlands

Dutch campaign, Team AkzoNobel, is the first entry of the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18. Backed by AkzoNobel - a leading global paints and coatings company headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, employing around 45,000 people worldwide, and whose portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International, Interpon and Eka. The boat will be led by first time skipper Simeon Tienpont (NED), who will be racing in his third Volvo Ocean Race.

Having made his debut as a rookie onboard ABN AMRO Two in 2005-06, he returned to the Volvo Ocean Race with Team Vestas Wind for the final two legs of the 2014-15 edition.

“I’m honoured and incredibly excited to be skipper of Team AkzoNobel,” said Tienpont, 34, who has also been part of two winning America’s Cup teams - BMW Oracle Racing in the 33rd, and Oracle Team USA in the 34th. “We’re both focused on high performance and share the same passion for success. I can’t wait to start racing.”

Conrad Keijzer, ExCo member, AkzoNobel, said: “The Volvo Ocean Race offers an unparalleled storytelling and brand-building platform over a prolonged period of time. The company can raise awareness for its capabilities; excite and captivate both new and existing audiences and customers; develop business opportunities; attract talent and create a sense of pride and excitement among employees.”

He continued: “Partnering with Simeon to form Team AkzoNobel is a winning combination – he’s a true leader who puts safety and teamwork first and is both determined and inspirational.”

Mark Turner, Volvo Ocean Race CEO, is delighted with the Dutch entry: “It’s exciting that our first team announcement comes early in the cycle, is backed by a global brand, and features a first-time skipper. Those are three great positives for the Volvo Ocean Race.

“The route for the next edition will feature more action, more speed, more tough miles and more host venues, but a shorter race – a move that takes the Race closer to its original roots and heritage, while improving its strong commercial value and excellent business case for sponsors.”

Team AkzoNobel represents the Netherland, a nation with not only a rich maritime heritage, but a special connection to the Volvo Ocean Race, with Dutch teams having lifted the trophy three times, in 1977-78, 1981-82 and 2005-06.

Indeed, Dutch sailing legend Conny van Rietschoten remains the only skipper in the history of the race to have won two editions in a row, and Tienpont, who won the prestigious Conny van Rietschoten trophy – the highest honour in Dutch sailing - in 2013, is proud to be following in the ‘Flying’ Dutchman’s footsteps.

“The Netherlands are very fond of this race and that’s all because of Conny van Rietschoten,” he explained. “He brought the event, then called The Whitbread, to an entirely new level. He built his boat in an excellent Dutch boatyard and recruited professional sailors from all around the world.”

To celebrate the announcement of the Dutch team in The Hague, the Scheveningen pier underwent a colourful makeover, which will remain a remarkable eye-catcher until the Race finishes with a grand finale in The Hague in summer 2018.