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Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (ADOR) - the professional yacht racing team backed by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) to contest the Volvo Ocean Race - has completed its on board 2014/15 line-up with the appointment of Daryl Wislang as pitman and boat captain, and Matt Knighton as on board reporter.
The pair came through the trial periods with flying colours and will make their first official ADOR appearances this week when the team races the Volvo Ocean 65 ‘Azzam’ in the Artemis Challenge race during the Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week on August 7.
New Zealander Wislang (33) brings two editions worth of Volvo Ocean Race experience to the ADOR squad and finished in the top three overall on both occasions. He was third with Telefónica Blue in 2008/09, second with CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand crew in 2011/12 and is hoping to complete his upward progression this race with an ADOR victory.
“I love the Volvo Ocean Race for the challenge, the camaraderie and the long lasting friendships that you make with your crew mates,” Wislang said. “But the real reason I’m back is the fact that I haven’t won one yet. It’s time to put that right and I’m confident the Abu Dhabi team gives me the best chance of that.”
Wislang, who sailed with Simon Fisher on Telefónica Blue and Chuny Bermúdez on CAMPER, said he was impressed by the ADOR crew when he trialled with them across the Atlantic from Portugal to the USA last month.
“It’s obvious as soon as you step on-board Azzam that this is a very well prepared team,” he said. “They are working to a well-prepared and well-thought-out plan with solid backing from Abu Dhabi. Coming across the Atlantic we did a tremendous number of sail changes and pretty much everything went off without a hitch.”
Wislang and his wife celebrated the birth of their first child Pearl just a week ago in New Zealand. Although it was tough to leave his new daughter behind, the Kiwi sailor said he was overjoyed to be joining the team and couldn’t wait torace with the team.
Meanwhile, Knighton, an accomplished commercial videographer and keen racing sailor with proven photography and storytelling skills, earned his ADOR on board reporting role after producing great media content during back-to-back transatlantic crossings during June and July.
Based in Chicago, the 30-year-old’s impressive resume includes directing the 2013 documentary Black Hawk Down: Return to Mogadishu, shot in a Somalian war zone.
“This is an unparalleled opportunity,” said Matt. "It's not a challenge to be taken lightly or for granted. To be on a team where almost everyone has done at least three Volvo Ocean races is humbling but I couldn't ask for a better group of guys to share the next nine months with. Everyone gets along great on board and that makes this challenge all the more fun and dynamic.”
Knighton, who will take a sabbatical from his role as Media and Communications Director for match racing world champion Taylor Canfield’s US One Sailing Team, said he couldn’t wait for the Volvo Ocean Race to start.
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