Former BMW Oracle taker John Kostecki, who has been released from his previous America's Cup duties, is taking part in the Volvo Ocean Race. The Ericsson Racing Team, where Toni Kolb is also taking his America's Cup break, has announced Kostecki's commitment as inshore tactician.
The new format of the Volvo Ocean Race provides for nine long stages, in which the full number of points is sailed. But also seven short races in the stage ports, where half the number of points is important.
It is allowed to take an eleventh man along with the ten-strong regular crew. Kostecki should fill this role as a tactician on the Swedish team.
“I am very happy with this job with the Ericsson Racing Team,” says Kostecki. “It's a team that can win. Neal McDonald is a very experienced skipper."
“Ericsson” skipper McDonald says: "John is a great addition to our team. His experience of two Whitbread / Volvo Ocean Races and four America's Cup campaigns will help us a lot. The inshore races make up almost 22% of the overall result. That's why his skills and knowledge are invaluable to us."
Kostecki is also supposed to take on an advisory role on land during the long stages.
www.ericssonracingteam.com