Team Russia was the name of the Russian backed entry in the 2008–09 Volvo Ocean Race.
Zherebstov met former Olympic sailor and professional skipper, Andreas Hanakamp, by chance during a sailing holiday in Croatia.
[3] Their yacht, a second generation Volvo Open 70, was designed by British designer Rob Humphreys and built by Green Marine in Lymington, UK[4] she was christened Kosatka (which is Russian for orca or killer whale) at a ceremony at Gunwharf Quays Marina, Portsmouth, UK on Monday June 16, 2008, by the boats godmother Birgitta Westerberg, co-founder (with Oleg Zherebtsov), of the Solntse (Sun) Foundation charity for sick and underprivileged children in St Petersburg, Russia.
[5] Team Russia had to suspend racing upon arrival in Singapore at the end of Leg 3 due to "insufficient funds".
[8] The WDCS were announced as the official partner for Team Russia.