Two new crew for Team Brunel

Ex Telefonica and Ericsson 3 sailors to join Bouwe Bekking's team

Jens Dolmer (DEN, 44) and Pablo Arrarte (ESP, 33) will join Team Brunel in the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race. Both sailors will return to the fully crewed around the world race and for Arrarte it will be a reunion with Dutch Team Brunel skipper Bouwe Bekking.

In 2008 Arrarte made his debut to the Volvo Ocean Race onboard of Telefonica Blue, skippered by Bekking and in the last race he again sailed on the Spanish VO70 Telefónica. Arrarte: "Doing my third Volvo is a big challenge, as I am not under 30 anymore. Now I can add my experience to the team. I am looking forward to sail in this new boat, where everything will be more equal than ever seen."

His motivation for his third participation is clear: "I want to win this time. I am thankful that Bouwe gives me the opportunity to sail with him again in this race."

Arrarte started his sailing career on the Olympic circuit, competing in the Finn and Star classes. He took a tenth place at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games in the latter. Following his move into the Volvo Ocean Race he has competed in many Spanish and international regattas, such as the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, Super Yacht Cup, the ORC 670 World Championship, the King's Cup and the Round Britain & Ireland Race, among others.

Bouwe Bekking is pleased to have him back on the team: "I met Pablo(patan) for the first time on board of the Bribon TP52. I selected him for Telefonica Blue, so I have been around the planet with him. He is strong like an ox, a superb trimmer and a very fast helmsman, always giving 100%. Last race he was with Telefonica again, so he has even more experience this time around."

Danish sailor Jens Dolmer will go for his second attempt to take the overall win in one of the most challenging round the world yacht races. In the 2008-09 race, he made his first appearance with Ericsson 3. Dolmer said of his return: "The Volvo Ocean Race is one of the greatest achievement in sailing. After having done it one time, I am coming back for more and will try to win it! Being part of this great team - Team Brunel - and sailing with some of the best sailors in the world, can provide The Winning Team."

Dolmer's experience includes the 2005-07 America's Cup with Victory Challenge and he is a winner of the Pineapple Cup, the Transatlantic Race, several times winner of Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and spent five years on the Alpari World Match Racing Tour.

Bekking: "Since my last Volvo Ocean Race, Jens, the great Dane, has been onboard of most of the campaigns I have been involved with. He's rock solid in whatever position you place him, competitive and a team player. In addition to his technical skills, he is a very nice person to have around, superb."

Selection

Following last week's selection program, Team Brunel will announce four potential crew members on Wednesday January 22. They will sail the Dutch Volvo Ocean 65 from Southampton to the team base at Lanzarote, where they will join the training program.