Team Russia
Encyclopedia
Team Russia was the name of the Russian backed entry in the 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race
. Team Russia was founded by Oleg Zherebtsov, the founder of the Lenta
hypermarket chain in Russia
. Zherebstov met former Olympic sailor
and professional skipper, Andreas Hanakamp
, by chance during a sailing holiday in Croatia
.
The CEO of Team Russia is Michael Woods, who was Director of Race Operations for the 2001-02
race.
Their yacht, a second generation Volvo Open 70
, was designed by British designer Rob Humphreys and built by Green Marine in Lymington
, UK she was christened ‘Kosatka’ (which is Russian for Orca
or Killer Whale) at a ceremony at Gunwharf Quays
Marina, Portsmouth
, UK on Monday June 16, 2008 by the boats godmother
Birgitta Westerberg, co-founder (with Oleg Zherebtsov
), of the Solntse (Sun) Foundation charity for sick and underprivileged children in St Petersburg, Russia
.
Team Russia had to suspend racing upon arrival in Singapore
at the end of Leg 3 due to ‘insufficient funds’. They officially withdrew from legs 4, 5, and 6 of the race, and whilst the team hoped to rejoin for the last legs of the race, this was not possible, however the team did sail Leg 10 beside the rest of the fleet to their hometown of St Petersberg.
The race team consisted of some previous Volvo Ocean Race
sailors, as well as some newcomers to the event.
Kosatka sailed under the logo 'We Sail For The Whale’ which calls for the creation of twelve new marine protected areas for whales and dolphins by 2012.
2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race
The 2008–09 Volvo Ocean Race was a yacht race held between October 4, 2008, and June 27, 2009—the 10th edition of the round the world Volvo Ocean Race....
. Team Russia was founded by Oleg Zherebtsov, the founder of the Lenta
Lenta (retail)
Lenta is a hypermarket chain which operates in Russia. Lenta today has 37 hypermarkets throughout Russia and employs over 12,000 individuals. Retail sales in 2009 was USD 1.8bln....
hypermarket chain in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. Zherebstov met former Olympic sailor
Sailing at the Summer Olympics
Sailing has been one of the Olympic sports since the Games of the I Olympiad, held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. Despite being scheduled in the first Olympic program, the races were canceled due to severe weather conditions...
and professional skipper, Andreas Hanakamp
Andreas Hanakamp
Andreas Hanakamp is an Austrian sailor who has competed in two Olympic Games as well many other sailing events including the 1996 Hong-Kong-Challenge, , Rolex Fastnet Race and most recently, is competing in the 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race....
, by chance during a sailing holiday in Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
.
The CEO of Team Russia is Michael Woods, who was Director of Race Operations for the 2001-02
2001-02 Volvo Ocean Race
For the 2001 to 2002 the sponsorship of the race was taken over by Volvo and Volvo Cars. The race was renamed the Volvo Ocean Race. Stopovers were added in Germany, France, and Sweden being the Volvo's three biggest car markets in Europe. In addition the points system had been modified...
race.
Their yacht, a second generation Volvo Open 70
Volvo Open 70
The Volvo Open 70 is the current class of racing yachts designed for the Volvo Ocean Race. It was first used in the 2005-2006 race and use a Canting keel which is capable of canting transversely up to an angle of 40 degrees.According to the VO70 rule, the yachts can be made...
, was designed by British designer Rob Humphreys and built by Green Marine in Lymington
Lymington
Lymington is a port on the west bank of the Lymington River on the Solent, in the New Forest district of Hampshire, England. It is to the east of the South East Dorset conurbation, and faces Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight which is connected to it by a car ferry, operated by Wightlink. The town...
, UK she was christened ‘Kosatka’ (which is Russian for Orca
Orca
The killer whale , commonly referred to as the orca, and less commonly as the blackfish, is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family. Killer whales are found in all oceans, from the frigid Arctic and Antarctic regions to tropical seas...
or Killer Whale) at a ceremony at Gunwharf Quays
Gunwharf Quays
Gunwharf Quays is an area of Portsmouth, Hampshire, now home to a large shopping centre.- History:The centre opened on 28 February 2001 and is located on the site of the former Royal Navy shore establishment HMS Vernon, renamed HMS Nelson on March 31, 1986...
Marina, Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
, UK on Monday June 16, 2008 by the boats godmother
Godparent
A godparent, in many denominations of Christianity, is someone who sponsors a child's baptism. A male godparent is a godfather, and a female godparent is a godmother...
Birgitta Westerberg, co-founder (with Oleg Zherebtsov
Lenta (retail)
Lenta is a hypermarket chain which operates in Russia. Lenta today has 37 hypermarkets throughout Russia and employs over 12,000 individuals. Retail sales in 2009 was USD 1.8bln....
), of the Solntse (Sun) Foundation charity for sick and underprivileged children in St Petersburg, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
.
Team Russia had to suspend racing upon arrival in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
at the end of Leg 3 due to ‘insufficient funds’. They officially withdrew from legs 4, 5, and 6 of the race, and whilst the team hoped to rejoin for the last legs of the race, this was not possible, however the team did sail Leg 10 beside the rest of the fleet to their hometown of St Petersberg.
Race Team
Volvo Ocean Race
The Volvo Ocean Race is a yacht race around the world, held every three years. It is named after its current owner, Volvo...
sailors, as well as some newcomers to the event.
| Name | Position | Previous VOR Experience |
|---|---|---|
 Mark Covell |
Media Crew Member | |
 Michael Joubert |
Bowman | 1997-98 1997-98 Whitbread Round the World Race The Whitbread Round the World Race ran for the first time with all W60 boats and to a "points vs time" scoring system to enhance the value of the shorter race legs. Also, in an effort to attract additional media coverage, the Whitbread race committee divided the race into no less than 9 legs for... 'BrunelSunergy', 2001-02 2001-02 Volvo Ocean Race For the 2001 to 2002 the sponsorship of the race was taken over by Volvo and Volvo Cars. The race was renamed the Volvo Ocean Race. Stopovers were added in Germany, France, and Sweden being the Volvo's three biggest car markets in Europe. In addition the points system had been modified... 'ASSA ABLOY', 2005-06 2005-06 Volvo Ocean Race thumb|Pirates of the Caribbean near the finish line of last leg of 2005/06 race.thumb|Brunel finishing the New York Legthumb|The competitors at port in Annapolis.... 'movistar' |
 Andreas HanakampAndreas Hanakamp Andreas Hanakamp is an Austrian sailor who has competed in two Olympic Games as well many other sailing events including the 1996 Hong-Kong-Challenge, , Rolex Fastnet Race and most recently, is competing in the 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race.... |
Skipper | (Newcomer) |
 Wouter Verbraak |
Navigator Navigator A navigator is the person on board a ship or aircraft responsible for its navigation. The navigator's primary responsibility is to be aware of ship or aircraft position at all times. Responsibilities include planning the journey, advising the Captain or aircraft Commander of estimated timing to... |
2001-02 2001-02 Volvo Ocean Race For the 2001 to 2002 the sponsorship of the race was taken over by Volvo and Volvo Cars. The race was renamed the Volvo Ocean Race. Stopovers were added in Germany, France, and Sweden being the Volvo's three biggest car markets in Europe. In addition the points system had been modified... 'Djuice dragons' |
 Rodion LukaRodion Luka Rodion Luka is a Ukrainian sailor.-Career highlights:World ChampionshipsRodion Luka is a Ukrainian sailor.-Career highlights:World Championships... |
Helmsman Helmsman A helmsman is a person who steers a ship, sailboat, submarine, or other type of maritime vessel. On small vessels, particularly privately-owned noncommercial vessels, the functions of skipper and helmsman may be combined in one person. On larger vessels, there is a separate officer of the watch,... |
(Newcomer) |
 Oleg Zherebtsov |
Bowman 2 and Pit | (Newcomer) |
 Jeremy Elliott |
Trimmer and Sail Designer | (Newcomer) |
 Guillermo Altadil |
Watch leader | 2001-02 2001-02 Volvo Ocean Race For the 2001 to 2002 the sponsorship of the race was taken over by Volvo and Volvo Cars. The race was renamed the Volvo Ocean Race. Stopovers were added in Germany, France, and Sweden being the Volvo's three biggest car markets in Europe. In addition the points system had been modified... 'ASSA ABLOY', 2005-06 2005-06 Volvo Ocean Race thumb|Pirates of the Caribbean near the finish line of last leg of 2005/06 race.thumb|Brunel finishing the New York Legthumb|The competitors at port in Annapolis.... 'Ericsson' |
 Nick Bubb |
Pitman | (Newcomer) |
 Stig Westergaard |
Watch Captain | 2001-02 2001-02 Volvo Ocean Race For the 2001 to 2002 the sponsorship of the race was taken over by Volvo and Volvo Cars. The race was renamed the Volvo Ocean Race. Stopovers were added in Germany, France, and Sweden being the Volvo's three biggest car markets in Europe. In addition the points system had been modified... 'Djuice Dragons' |
 Ben Costello |
Trim / Helm | |
| Camron Wills |
Grinder and trimmer |
WDCS Partnership
The WDCS were announced as the official partner for Team Russia.Kosatka sailed under the logo 'We Sail For The Whale’ which calls for the creation of twelve new marine protected areas for whales and dolphins by 2012.
- For more information see: WDCS#2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race