Final Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing appointments

Ex-Camper crewman signs on with Ian Walker's crew

Daryl Wislang will be returning to the Volvo Ocean Race sailing this autumn's fully crewed round the world race aboard Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s Azzam.

The 33-year-old New Zealander’s call-up coupled with the appointment of Matt Knighton as Onboard Reporter completes the Abu Dhabi team's crew line-up. The pair have come through trial periods with flying colours and will make their first official appearances this week when the team pits its Volvo Ocean 65 in the Artemis Challenge race at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week followed by the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race starting on Sunday.

Wislang finished in the top three overall in the last two Volvo Ocean Races - third with Telefónica Blue in 2008-09, second with Camper in 2011-12. He is hoping to complete this nature progression upward in this race with an Abu Dhabi victory.

“I love the Volvo Ocean Race for the challenge, the camaraderie and the long lasting friendships that you make with your crew mates,” Wislang said. “But the real reason I’m back is the fact that I haven’t won one yet. It’s time to put that right and I’m confident the Abu Dhabi team gives me the best chance of that.”

Wislang, who sailed with Abu Dhabi crewmates Simon Fisher on Telefónica Blue and Chuny Bermúdez on Camper, said he had been impressed by the Abu Dhabi crew when he trialled with them across the Atlantic from Portugal to the USA last month.

“It’s obvious as soon as you step on board Azzam that this is a thoroughly professional team,” he said. “They are working to a well prepared and well thought-out plan with solid backing from Abu Dhabi. Coming across the Atlantic we did a tremendous number of sail changes and pretty much everything went off without a hitch.”

Knighton, an accomplished commercial videographer and keen racing sailor with proven photography and story telling skills, earned his onboard reporting role after producing great media content during back-to-back transatlantic crossings during June and July.

Based in Chicago the 30-year-old’s resume includes directing the 2013 documentary Black Hawk Down: Return to Mogadishu, which was shot in a Somalian war zone.

“This is an unparalleled opportunity,” said Knighton. "It's not a challenge to be taken lightly or for granted. To be on a team where almost everyone has done at least three Volvo Ocean races is humbling, but I couldn't ask for a better group of guys to share the next nine months with.”