New recruit for Brunel

Adam Minoprio quits kicking his heels post Luna Rossa

Javier de La Plaza will be replaced by Adam Minoprio for the remainder of this Volvo Ocean Race. This is the New Zealand sailors’ second Volvo Ocean Race after he raced as trimmer and helmsman on Camper in 2011-12.

In 2009, aged 24, Minoprio was the youngest ever sailor to become Match Race World Champion, joining an élite group of sailors such as Chris Dickson, Dean Barker and Russell Coutts. A year later, he joined Camper.

“The Volvo Ocean Race is more physically demanding than inshore races,” says Minoprio. “When I sailed in my first VOR with Team Camper, I thought the toughest bit was carrying and stacking all the sails, the food, the spares and the tools when changing tack or gybing. But the principles of sailing are the same and nothing changes there.”

Under the leadership of skipper Chris Nicholson, Team Camper came second in the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race. At the beginning of 2014, Minoprio was wing trimmer and tactician for the America’s Cup team Luna Rossa. After the Italians withdrew from the Cup, it left space for a new adventure.

“It’s an honour that Bouwe Bekking asked me to strengthen Team Brunel," continues Minoprio. "Together with the America’s Cup, the Volvo Ocean Race is the summit of sailing. I think that my knowledge and skills will enable me to make a contribution to the development and performance of Team Brunel. I always go for the best result possible.”

Skipper Bouwe Bekking commented: “Adam has sailed in the Volvo Ocean Race before and has been match race world champion. As an experienced match racer, he could just make the difference in the last three short legs.”