On the foredeck of Green Dragon under sail off Galway. Image copyright Yongtao Jiang/Green Dragon Racing.
by Lucy Harwood
For Leg 8 of the Volvo Ocean Race Green Dragon will have two crew changes as part of their on going crew rotation. Chinese media crew member Guo Chuan will step down for the next leg from Galway to Marstrand. Guo has been with the team since their initial training in Ireland last summer, and has sailed on every leg of the race so far. Stepping onboard to carry out the media role will be Green Dragon cameraman Huang Jian. Huang (also known by his English name James) has been part of Green Dragon media team on shore since the start of the race in Alicante and this will be his first time onboard for a leg of the race. Also stepping back onboard will be Green Dragon’s boat captain James Carroll, he will replace Ian Budgen who joined the crew for the transatlantic leg from Boston to Galway.
“Guo has been with us since the every beginning, he has done an amazing job onboard with the crew. I was so proud for him to be nominated for the media award during the Leg 7 prize giving. This will be his first trip home since our arrival in Qingdao in January and he really deserves this opportunity to recharge the batteries. Arriving into Galway was a huge moment for the whole team and just as the boat completed its circumnavigation, Guo also completed his own lap of the planet. Huang Jian has been traveling as part of the Green Dragon team since Alicante, it will be a fantastic opportunity for him, he is an exceptional cameraman and the boys are looking forward to having him onboard”: Skipper Ian Walker
Huang Jian (CHN)
Huang Jian has worked as chief cinematographer for Fujian SETV in China, and as an independent producer for the documentary studio of SETV. His main focus is on wild animals, natural environments and outdoor sports. He specialises in offshore sports, and started sailing in 2002. Huang also joined the Green Dragon team for their punishing 2000-mile qualification sail. Huang has been part of the Green Dragon media team since the start of the race, filming all the action and delivering material to broadcasters all over the world.
“It will be an amazing opportunity to join the crew for this leg. I was lucky enough to sail with them during the 2000 – mile qualification passage and I loved every minute of it. I am very excited at this opportunity and I hope to get some great footage of the boys in action,”: Huang Jian Media Crew Member Leg 8
Leg 8 Galway to Marstrand, 525 nm
In a change of pace to the previous transatlantic leg from Boston, Leg 8 will see the fleet take on the first of the short sprint legs, as they sail the 950 miles from Galway to Marstrand in Sweden. The boats will leave Galway Bay and head south along the west coast of Ireland, then south-east across the Irish Sea to the south coast of England. The course will then see them head eastwards up the English Channel, and then turn the corner to head north into the North Sea, eventually ending up in the the entrance to the Baltic Sea. The fleet could face some low pressure systems along the course, but the high pressure and light airs common at this time of year could also cause the fleet some issues.
Leg 8 start time: 15:00 local time (1400 GMT).
Green Dragon Crew List Leg 8
IAN WALKER (GBR) - Skipper
IAN MOORE (IRL) - Navigator
NEAL McDONALD (GBR) - Watch Captain
DAMIAN FOXALL (IRL) - Watch Captain
ANTHONY MERRINGTON (AUS) – Helm/Trim
PHIL HARMER (AUS) - Helm/Trim
ANDREW MCLEAN (NZL) - Mast/Trim
JAMES CARROLL (IRL) – Trim
JUSTIN SLATTERY (IRL) - Bow
FREDDY SHANKS (GBR) – Bow
HUANG JIAN (CHN) - Media Crew Member
Green Dragon Racing
Volvo Ocean Race
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