#VOR - The Volvo Ocean Race’s most experienced sailor will return for the 2017-18 edition this autumn when Bouwe Bekking joins Team Brunel for another run around the world.

Bekking is fresh off his stint as tactician with the crew of J Class yacht Lionheart, winners of both the inaugural America’s Cup J Class Regatta — landing them a handmade relief map of Bermuda courtesy of Latitude Kinsale — and the Superyacht Regatta just days before.

The 54-year-old Dutchman made his first appearance in the VOR, then known at the Whitbread Round The World Race, in 1985 as crew on Philips Innovator, which finished second in that race.

Thirty years on — and more miles sailed than any other in the history of the gruelling global offshore challenge — he skippered Dutch entry Team Brunel to that same first-runner-up spot in the 2014-15 edition of the VOR.

He will be looking to break that duck come the 2017-18 edition, which sets sail from Alicante in under four months’ time with a confirmed eight-strong fleet that will its way around the globe to reach The Hague in June 2018.

Bekking also skippers one of four teams returning for a second successive edition, along with Team Vestas Wind, MAPFRE and China’s Dongfeng Race Team.