TEAM ABN AMRO has presented in Paris, France the skipper and three core crew members for their second boat in the Volvo Ocean Race 2005/06. These experienced crew members will sail under command of the appointed skipper of the second boat, Sebastien Josse. This young Frenchman has a proven track record in ocean sailing. The three crew members are Simon Fisher, Nick Bice and Simon Beavis.

In the coming weeks the other eight crew members of the second boat will be selected. The finals are held in Portimão, Portugal.

# Skipper Sebastien Josse (30, France)

At just thirty years old, Sebastien Josse has already proven to be a bit of a genius at ocean racing. Known for keeping a cool head while pushing ahead with a strong determination to succeed, “Jojo” has what it takes to skipper a round the world race. Despite discovering sailing quite late in his career, he has risen rapidly among the ranks of the world’s best. Winning the Crédit Agricole Selection jump-started an impressive series of single-handed victories on his way to joining Bruno Peyron’s record-breaking crew on his maxi multihull in the Jules Verne Trophy. Today, Sebastien’s reputation for keeping his feet on deck while his head takes to the wind will serve him well as he sets out on this latest challenge: skipper on TEAM ABN AMRO’s second race yacht in the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006.

# Simon Fisher (27, Great Britain)

You could say that Simon has a head for technology. In the run of his sailing career he has managed both on- and offshore to stay in tune with the latest developments in racing electronics. He even develops race yachting software for onboard systems and post processing tools for race yacht performance analyses: it all seems to come naturally to the chemist and former law student from Bristol. But Simon is also a true all rounder – a fine quality for ocean racing – having taken up positions as trimmer, navigator and grinder in major races over the last half decade, as well as having been boat captain, sail maker and boat builder on numerous successful campaigns.

# Nick Bice (27, Australia)

Nick has been sailing for most of his life, the last five years of which as a professional sailor. As a qualified boatbuilder, Nick gained a wealth of experience with the latest composite construction technology and structural engineering at Blue Sky Composites in Australia. Such expertise has already proven valuable in his role as Shore Captain for the first TEAM ABN AMRO yacht and is sure to come in handy as he takes his place on the second yacht during the race. Racking up a lot of experience on the water has provided Nick with another treasure – a wealth of anecdotes of past sailing adventures. Nick knows what is required to achieve success in yachting Campaigns: always cheerful, he notes that “ocean racing has taught him the importance of team work.”

# Scott Beavis (24, Great-Brittain/New Zealand)

Although he is the youngest of the four professionals on TEAM ABN AMRO’s second race yacht, Scott Beavis has already proven that he belongs with the best. With a reputation for being an enthusiastic, hard working and resourceful crewmember, Scott strives hard for success. His experience in the last Volvo Ocean Race is sure to come in handy, as well as the fact that he is a keen sail maker who likes to put theory to the test under the most extreme conditions. When he isn’t sailing – which is not often – Scott goes downhill mountain bike racing, surfing, snow boarding, skate boarding and road biking. Anything to get the adrenaline going, really.

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