History will be made in the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race when four Chinese rookie sailors take to the seas with the Dongfeng Race Team.

French skipper Charles Caudrelier recently unveiled a world-class group of five western sailors to boost the Chinese challenge for the 12th edition of sailing's leading offshore event.

Never before has a race squad included so many from the world's most populous nation and the move marks an important staging post in ambitions to enter an all-Chinese crew in two races' time (2020-21).