Volvo Ocean Race

Team Sanya unveiled a rainbow refit and a Norwegian navigator among an experienced crew list on Saturday, just six weeks after announcing their participation in the Volvo Ocean Race and with the clock ticking down to their competitive debut in the Fastnet next week.

Tim Stonton/Volvo Ocean Race Tim Stonton/Volvo Ocean Race Tim Stonton/Volvo Ocean Race Tim Stonton/Volvo Ocean Race

Team Sanya will be racing in a refurbished version of the Telefónica Blue boat that finished on the podium in the last race and the new livery shown off after some furious work in Hamble, England displays a multicoloured design representing the phoenix, the mythical bird that has good-luck status in China.

Skipper Mike Sanderson left two spots open in the crew list he named on Saturday, with at least one of those places to go to a Chinese sailor.

Navigator Aksel Magdahl was among the stand-out names on a sailing team list with a distinct New Zealand flavour.

Joining Sanderson, himself a Kiwi, are fellow New Zealanders Richard Mason, Chris Main, Andy Meikeljohn, Ryan Houston, and Cameron Dunn.

irishman Frankie Leonard had already been announced as Media Crew member.

Sanderson will use the Rolex Fastnet Race, which starts on August 14, to give a trial to China's Teng Jiang He, nicknamed Tiger.

“Despite starting this campaign late in the day, I am really excited about the team we have gathered together and that applies to both the sailing and shore team," said Sanderson.

"Without realising it, we have a really young and ambitious sailing team – the average age is 33 and I am the oldest at 40.

"We have managed to bring together a combination of experience in all of the right areas as well a fresh and innovative approach and that feels really right for this team.

"We still have two sailing team members to announce and we have our first Chinese sailing team member, Tiger, on a trial with us now and he will compete in the Fastnet race with us so all is progressing really well.”

Team Sanya crew list as of Saturday:

Mike Sanderson, skipper        
Cameron Dunn, watch leader
Chris Main, watch leader
Aksel Magdahl, navigator 
Richard Mason, helm/trimmer
David Swete, helm/trimmer (Under 30)
Andy Meiklejohn, bow
Ryan Houston, bow (Under 30)
Frankie Leonard, media crew member

Sanya wlil be up against Volvo Ocean Race rivals Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Groupama in the Fastnet.