Hong Kong sailor Tiger Mok named in Scallywag crew for Volvo Ocean Race debut
Skipper David Witt confirms nine-man group ahead of epic 46,000-nautical mile adventure, which officially begins in Spain in October
Skipper David Witt hailed the inclusion of local sailor Tiger Mok in the Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag crew for their Volvo Ocean Race debut, with the group containing a mix of rookies and veterans as well as a former winner.
Australian Luke Parkinson won the trophy as a rookie with Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing during the last edition in 2014–15 and joins veteran navigator Steve Hayles on the crew, which is backed by Sun Hung Kai & Co executive chairman Lee Seng-huang.
Also named in Witt’s squad are New Zealand’s Mark Fullerton, who raced with Brunel in 2005-06, Briton John Fisher and Australian trio David Mann, Alex Gough and Ben Piggott.
“Tiger is Hong Kong born and bred, and he’s a great sailor,” Witt said on the Volvo Ocean Race website, with crews required to contain two members who are aged under 30 at the end of the race in July 2018.
“He will race some legs – and he’s also the back-up navigator, so will do a lot of onshore navigation and work closely with Steve.
“Having him on board will help to build the profile of the sport in the region, and encourage kids in Hong Kong to see that there’s a real future in offshore sailing.”