Green Team + Dragon = Green Dragon Team
Today in Beijing it was announced that The Green Team has officially been named The Green Dragon Team, after securing title sponsorship from a syndicate of Chinese companies. The team will now move forward under the 
'Green Team VO70 - about to get some new livery as 'Green Dragon Team'.'
© Guy Nowell Click Here to view large photo
official entry name The Green Dragon Team and their new livery will be unveiled over the coming weeks.
The Green Dragon will be skippered by double Olympic medallist Ian Walker in the next edition of the Volvo Ocean Race starting in Alicante, Spain on 4 October 2008. For the first time in the 35 year history of the race, China will not only host a three week stopover for the race in the Olympic sailing venue, Qingdao, but also supply sponsorship of a Volvo Ocean Race entry.
The team already holds strong Chinese links, with construction of the boat Having taken place in China. The boat was constructed by a team of 90 Chinese boat builders at McConaghy Boats in Zhuhai, and is the first Volvo Open 70 to be built in China. The names of the companies involved within the Chinese syndicate will be announced at a later date.
'We are delighted to be able to finally announce our title sponsorship. Having built the boat in China we have developed a close relationship with a number of companies who were interested in being involved in the Volvo Ocean
Race. The exposure that this sponsorship will bring the team and our current and potential sponsors within the Chinese and Asian markets is enormous', said Jamie Boag, CEO The Green Dragon Team.
With the sponsorship agreement came the search for a Chinese crewmember to join the first class crew already named. The current Green Dragon Team crew includes four previous competitors of the Volvo Ocean Race including one past winner.
The Green Dragon Team will be co-ordinating the search for the best Chinese sailor to join them. Skipper Ian Walker has outlined what he is looking for in the Chinese crewmember. 'We would like to see Chinese sailors who are
competing at this summer's Olympics applying, along with former members of the China Team AC syndicate. However, this does not preclude any sailor who is not already established from applying for the position if they feel they
have what it takes. We will bring up to five potential Chinese crewmembers to Ireland in August to train with the team; from there we will select the final crewmember'.
Prerequisites for the role are:
1. English speaker
2. Experienced sailor comfortable sailing big boats
3. Preferably over 90kg, fit and strong
4. Good team player and communicator
5. Able to train with the team prior to the race
For those sailors applying this will be no pleasure cruise, and the position is not for the faint-hearted. The race duration is 37,000 nm and will take 10 months to complete. This race involves sleep deprivation, debilitating cold and
enervating heat. Freeze-dried food is the set menu. Crew live in a cramped carbon fibre box with 10 fellow crew members in temperatures ranging between -5 and +50 degrees Celsius.
The build of the Green Dragon Volvo Open 70 was financed through a syndicate of private Irish investors, who remain in place with the project moving forward.
'For the syndicate who have financed the construction of the boat, it is the culmination of two years of support and commitment. The boat itself sailed for the first time last week and we are thrilled with the results of our first sea trials', said Eamon Conneely, Sailing Director and syndicate member.
The team will now head to Ireland in early in July for two months of training before leaving at the end of August for Alicante and the race start.
by Green Dragon Team 
Turners Beach, TAS
