Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing
Salter is joined by Craig Satterthwaite (NZL) as watchleader, Justin Slattery (IRL) on bow, and Simon Fisher (GBR). With skipper Ian Walker at the helm, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing will have one of the most experienced sailing teams on start line in Alicante next October.
"The impressive pedigree of these crew members is a clear signal of our intent to be a competitive force in the race," said His Excellency Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, ADTA - which lead-manages the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team. "We hope the team's knowledge and experience may be fully harnessed to leave a compelling legacy for Abu Dhabi in terms of reigniting a love of the sport among our own youth."
Salter returns for his third Volvo Ocean Race, after winning in 2008-09 as navigator on Ericsson 4 team and previously sailing with 2005-06 runners-up, Pirates of the Caribbean. The 42-year-old has also notched up victories in the 2010 Medcup Circuit and the 2010 Louis Vuitton regattas.
Bowman Justin Slattery is another Volvo Ocean Race old hand joining the team, having competed on Green Dragon in the last race, race winners ABN AMRO ONE in 2005-06 and News Corp in 2001-02. He was bowman on the late Steve Fossett's record-breaking 2004 world circumnavigation, won the Maxi One Design Worlds in 2009 and most recently competed in the 2010 Louis Vuitton Trophy series.
Aucklander Craig Satterthwaite brings a wealth of competitive experience to his fourth Volvo Ocean Race. He sailed on PUMA Ocean Racing in 2008-09, with Salter on Pirates of the Caribbean in 2005-06 and was on Swedish Match in 1997-98. He won the America's Cup with Alinghi in 2007 and the Sydney-Hobart on Alfa Romeo in 2009.
Finally, 32-year-old Simon ‘Si Fi' Fisher's impressive Volvo Ocean Race and America's Cup expertise over the last decade rounds off a world-class line-up of sailing talent.
"The confirmation of Jules, Craig, Si Fi and Justin as our first sailing team members shows just how serious ADTA is about being successful in this race," said skipper Walker.
"This is exactly the calibre of sailor you would like to have beside you in what will be probably the closest fought round-the-world race ever," he averred. "In these four, we have a very strong foundation of race winning experience upon which to build the rest of the team."
ADTA is in the final stages of appointing the remaining members of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing's 11-strong crew, which will include at least one UAE national. The Emirati selection programme is in its latter stages with 20 candidates shortlisted.
The hopefuls are currently preparing for a demanding fitness and endurance programme to assess their mental and physical strength, before sea trials begin next month on the Arabian Gulf.
From Volvo Ocean Race
