Xabi Fernández

Date of Birth: 19 October 1976

In: Ibarra, Spain

Nationality: Spanish

Legs sailed in this edition: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
In-Port Races: Alicante, Lisbon, Cape Town, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Auckland, Itajaí, Newport, Cardiff, Gothenburg, The Hague

Something about him that you don't know: He took his first world title in 1992 in the Youth Vaurien Class.

Who he is: A double Olympic medallist, Xabi won gold in Athens in 2004 and followed that up with a silver in Beijing four years later. One of the most highly regarded Volvo Ocean Race sailors of the modern era, he has participated in four editions and has been part of every Spanish campaign since 2005-06. A strong leader, Xabi takes over the campaign as full-time skipper for the first time after deputising for Iker Martínez on some legs in 20-14-15.

Previous Volvo Oceans Races:
2014-15 MAPFRE
2011-12 Telefónica
2008-09 Telefónica Blue
2005-06 movistar