After the departure of Team SEB’s British watch captain Matthew Humphries, skipper Gurra Krantz welcomes two new crew members. David ‘Dingo’ Rolfe, the other watch captain who left the boat in Sydney after leg two, returns for the fourth leg, from Auckland to Salvador in Brazil.

He brings with him fellow Australian Andrew Merrington. Merrington has not sailed any legs so far but spent several months training with the syndicate in Portugal last winter. Shortly after that Merrington sailed briefly as part of the Kingfisher sailing team during the EDS Atlantic Challenge. His career also includes several Sydney-Hobarts, Admiral’s and Kenwood Cups.

“During my time with Team SEB in Portugal I got to know everyone in the team very well and I am excited to be here and I am looking forward to the Southern Ocean,” said Merrington.

“It is great to both have ‘Dingo’ and Anthony back in Team SEB. We know each other well since a long time ago and we know that we work good together,” said Krantz

The man who made way for Merrington – Matthew Humphries – is still on the dock staring at an uncertain future. “I’ve never resigned from anything in my life and for me to do this was the hardest decision that I have ever had to make and it is a very, very sad decision.

“My future lies in any sort of sailing. I love the round the world race, this is my fourth time in the race and ultimately, I do want to win it. I could be back on the start line with my own campaign in four years time, but I also may not be back. Maybe I will be doing something else. I am a professional sailor and I am a very competitive person so I don’t see this break I’m taking now as being something long term.

“It was the hardest, saddest, in a way the bravest decision that I have ever made and of course there will be a tear in my eye when the boat leaves on the 27th January. I am leaving the Volvo Ocean Race here but I’ll be back, but maybe not yet.”