Zhik win Volvo Ocean Race on first attempt
by Zhik NZ 25 Jun 2018 10:55 NZST
25 June 2018
Leg 11, from Gothenburg to The Hague, arrivals. 24 June, © Pedro Martinez / Volvo Ocean Race
Dongfeng Race Team was one of two teams that chose Zhik for the 2017/18 Volvo Ocean Race. They became the first ever Chinese backed team to become Volvo Ocean Race champions this morning at 2am NZ time!
Dongfeng saved the best for last! They made a tactical decision to take the easterly route around one of the major exclusion zones on route to The Hague, whilst the majority of the rest of the fleet took the westerly route, and it paid off in spades! Resulting in an almost four mile lead over our other partnered team, Team AkzoNobel, who came in second place ahead of Mapfre and Team Brunel.
This was their first ever leg win and overall nudged them ahead of Mapfre and Team Brunel to be crowned Volvo Ocean Race champions!
This was a sweet win for the two Kiwi's on board Dongfeng, Daryl Wislang, who has now notched up two consecutive Volvo Ocean Race wins and Stu Bannantyne, who has made this, his 8th Race, a winning one! It was also an incredibly sweet win for Carolyn Brouwer, being the first female to win as well as winning in her home country, The Netherlands.
As clothing partners for Dongfeng Race Team, we were fortunate enough to spend some time with the team and Team Director, Bruno Dubois, during the Auckland stopover in March this year. The tightness of the whole team, their focus and their drive really stood out for us and this was really evident right up to the amazing, hard fought win this morning.
We congratulate Dongfeng Race Team for their win and to all the other teams and sailors who have dedicated nine long months to this race! You all put on one heck of a close race and a nail biting finish! Enjoy your first shower, relax and time with your families!
Watch the exciting final moments click here to see on Facebook
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