The Volvo Ocean Race is a yacht race around the world, held every three years. Originally named after its initiating sponsor, British Whitbread brewing company, it today carries the name of its current owner, Swedish automobile manufacturer Volvo Cars and Swedish multinational manufacturing company, the Volvo Group. Presently, the Netherlands holds the record of three wins, with Dutchman Conny van Rietschoten the only skipper to win the race twice. Each of the entries has a sailing team of nine professional crew who race day and night for more than 20 days at a time on some legs. The crew members are required to be more than sailors, some of them will be trained in medical response, sail-making, diesel engine repair, electronics, nutrition, mathematics, and hydraulics. There is also a dedicated media crew member who does not contribute to the sailing of the boat. In the 2017-2018 race the number of crew can between 9-11 depending on the gender ratio.
Karl Kwok has led an illustrious business career that has taken him to the top of some of Hong Kong’s largest companies, but many of the skills he uses were honed on a boat.
He is setting off to break the Hong Kong to Hainan record aboard his 70 trimaran the Beau Geste.
