Will Oxley will take over the navigator’s role from Matt Humphries for the remainder of the Volvo Ocean Race. Humphries will stay on as watch captain.

Oxley, the 40 year old Australian, has sailed with Grant Wharington on Skandia since 2001 and was meant to be the navigator for the Volvo Ocean Race from the start but obligations prevented him from taking part in the first two legs.

That there would be an opportunity to step onboard after the Melbourne stopover came unexpected for the navigator: “It is great that the Brunel team can go on and that I will be part of it. I am looking forward to use the navstation that I designed myself.” It is Oxley’s first Volvo Ocean Race but the Australian can rely on his experience in many prestigious yacht races. His last achievement was a fifth place in the 2005 Transat Jacques Vabre, sailing the Open 60 Skandia with Brian Thompson. Earlier last year Oxley navigated the giant catamaran Doha2006 to victory in the Oryx Quest non-stop round the world race. He’s also competed in seven Sydney to Hobart races and was the weather coordinator for the Swedish Victroy Challenge America’s Cup Team.

Crewlist for this weekend’s inport race

Grant Wharington

Matt Humphries

Gareth Cooke

Ben Jones

Adam Hawkins

Ian ‘Barney’ Walker

Jeff Scott

Will Oxley

Mark Fullerton

Mark ‘Becksie’ Bartlett

Graeme Taylor

Casey Smith Bowman