The Ocean Race
The countdown for The Ocean Race is on and GUYOT environnement – Team Europe has started the final preparations. Five weeks before the start of the around the world race from Alicante, Spain on 15th January, 2023, the yacht is back in Europe.
With the signing of Támara Echegoyen Domínguez, the final building block to complete the sailing team has also been put in place. The 2012 Olympic champion and sailor in The Ocean Race 2017-18 fits perfectly into the structure of the European team with her experience in Olympic and offshore sailing.
The co-skippers of GUYOT environnement – Team Europe, Benjamin Dutreux (France) and Robert Stanjek (Germany), see the 38-year-old Spaniard as an ideal fit for the team.
“The time of preparation is running fast, therefore we need someone who can be deployed immediately. With her experience on the different boats, Támara will be able to jump in directly on the foiling IMOCA. She knows the Atlantic and the Southern Ocean: an incredible advantage when we have to sail the long legs – whether she is on board or delivering support from shore,” says Benjamin Dutreux, who has just successfully completed the Route du Rhum.
Robert Stanjek adds: “Our philosophy of building a team with a broad background of sailing experience is further strengthened by Támara. In addition, the human structure in a team is extremely important. Annie Lush and Támara know each other well as competitors from their shared Olympic and The Ocean Race days. Annie made the connection with Támara.”
The Spaniard is also excited about the chance to participate in The Ocean Race again and to be part of this young team: “I am very grateful to the team for this opportunity,” Echegoyen said. “It is a pleasure to work and sail with all of them. I really like their open mind to learn from each other as a team. It is one of their strengths. Looking forward to sailing together in the next The Ocean Race.”
The sailing team has a few days off until Christmas before meeting in Barcelona to take delivery of the yacht. After Benjamin Dutreux finished the Route du Rhum in Guadeloupe in a strong eighth position, Robert Stanjek, Annie Lush, Sébastien Simon and Phillip Kasüske, along with on-board reporter Charles Drapeau, took over the boat and sailed back to Europe. It was a perfect opportunity to get to know the potential of the former “Hugo Boss 6” across different conditions. On 10th December they arrived in Barcelona. Now the yacht is due for an overhaul and refit before it is transferred to Alicante for the start of the race.
With this crew, GUYOT environnement – Team Europe will embark on the seven legs of the 14th edition of the race around the world:
Benjamin Dutreux (Co-skipper)
Robert Stanjek (Co-skipper)
Annie Lush
Phillip Kasüske
Sébastien Simon
Támara Echegoyen
Charles Drapeau (OBR)
