Assa Abloy introduced their latest recruit – Guillermo Altadill – in Barcelona yesterday. The 38 year-old Spaniard recently returned from a record-breaking circumnavigation onboard Club Med, ticking his ocean racing log past the 180,000-mile mark. That figure looks set to break the 300,000 barrier by next summer, and keep rising: “This is my life,” said Altadill, “this is what I can do well.”

Altadill’s career began in dinghies and he became a multihull champion. That success brought his talents to bear on the 1996 gold medal-winning Spanish Olympic squad. He is also a Whitbread veteran having raced onboard Galicia Pescanova in the 1993-94 race.

“After winning The Race a lot of people contacted me but this was my first choice,” said Altadill. “I trained with the Assa Abloy Racing Team and I think that I fit in well. I prefer this team as there are some good people behind it and in it, with the right approach on how to set up a winning team and boat. They have left no stone unturned so far to achieve what is needed.”

“When I signed up,” said skipper Roy Heiner, “there were three crew members and now we are up to nine. And every new member that joins us has to be approved by all the crew so Guillermo has the support of us all. I am happy that we have him on the team with his extensive Southern Ocean experience. Combine that with his small boat skills and he will be a very valuable addition to the team.”

Assa Abloy crewlist:

• Roy Heiner (NED) skipper
• Mark Rudiger (USA) co-skipper/navigator
• Guillermo Altadill (ESP) helmsman/trimmer
• Klas Nylöf (SWE) helmsman/trimmer
• Jason Carrington (GBR) bowman/helmsman
• Sidney Gavignet (FRA) helmsman/trimmer
• Mike Joubert (RSA) bowman/trimmer
• Stu Wilson (NZL) trimmer/sail maker
• Richard Mason (NZL) trimmer/pit