The Irish enter the race for the first time since 1989/90. This team was announced in conjunction with the Galway stopover. Seed money from private investment and government sponsorship have recently been combined with funds from China, hence the name Green Dragon.

Thecrew of this team is impressive. Double Olympic silver medalist Ian Walker is the skipper, although he is, perhaps, the least experienced ocean racer on the team. His leadership and project management skills
have certainly been tested, as money has been tight.

Onboard, Walker is backed up by recent Barcelona World Race winner Damian Foxall, who, as watch leader, has already completed sevenaround-the-world races. Neal McDonald is returning for his fifth crack at the Whitbread/Volvo race. In addition, Anthony Merrington is on board as trimmer/helmsman, while Ian Moore joins as navigator. This crew matches up well to any other team.

It will be rounded out by a Chinese crew member, whose name will be announced after a selection process in August. This is part of the deal with the syndicate of Chinese companies, which offered a lifeline to the team earlier this summer.

Designed by Reichel-Pugh and built by McConaghy, the Irish boat should be solid. This is a team that many will overlook because of funding difficulties and a relatively late start. That could be a big mistake.

Follow the team online at www.greendragonracing.com

The Irish enter the race for the first time since 1989/90. This team
was announced in conjunction with the Galway stopover. Seed money from
private investment and government sponsorship have recently been
combined with funds from China, hence the name Green Dragon.

The
crew of this team is impressive. Double Olympic silver medalist Ian
Walker is the skipper, although he is, perhaps, the least experienced
ocean racer on the team. His leadership and project management skills
have certainly been tested, as money has been tight.

On
board, Walker is backed up by recent Barcelona World Race winner Damian
Foxall, who, as watch leader, has already completed seven
around-the-world races. Neal McDonald is returning for his fifth crack
at the Whitbread/Volvo race. In addition, Anthony Merrington is on
board as trimmer/helmsman, while Ian Moore joins as navigator. This
crew matches up well to any other team.

It will be
rounded out by a Chinese crew member, whose name will be announced
after a selection process in August. This is part of the deal with the
syndicate of Chinese companies, which offered a lifeline to the team
earlier this summer.

Designed by Reichel-Pugh and
built by McConaghy, the Irish boat should be solid. This is a team that
many will overlook because of funding difficulties and a relatively
late start. That could be a big mistake.

Follow the team online at www.greendragonracing.com