Volvo Ocean Race Fleet begins leg to Abu Dhabi as Emirate prepares historic hosting
The six-strong Volvo Ocean Race fleet begins its historic journey from Cape Town to Abu Dhabi today, as the emirate completes plans to become the first Arabian destination to host the gruelling, 39,000 nautical mile, round the world ‘Everest of Sailing’.
To mark the passing over of the race, Executive Mayor Alderman Patricia de Lille, Mayor of Cape Town presented Sultan Al Muhairi and Dayne Lim from Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which is behind the UAE capital’s hosting of the Volvo Ocean Race fleet and its sea hardened sailors this New Year, with a commemorative plaque.
On the water, the six teams, sailing the world’s fastest monohull Volvo Open 70 race yachts, face a testing 48 hours off the cape, as an unpredictable weather front makes it hard to determine the best route for navigators to take.
For Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and its 11-strong crew, which made a dramatic return to action on Saturday after a devastating dismasting of its Azzam (determined) race yacht in leg one saw them retire, winning its home leg is critical, and hopes local knowledge of the emirate’s waters will play a decisive role.
“For us, to get back to winning ways and to do this coming back into our home at Abu Dhabi would be perfect. We spent six months sailing there last winter so we know a lot, which we hope to use to our advantage. But we are under no illusions, this is a very long and testing leg, and anything could happen between now and New Year,” said Ian Walker, skipper, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing.
“What we can be sure of is that Abu Dhabi will pull out all the stops for its welcoming and hosting of the fleet. If that is not incentive to make sure we get there as fast as possible, I don’t know what is.”
The six Volvo Ocean Race teams – Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (UAE), PUMA Ocean Racing powered by Berg (USA), Team Telefónica (ESP), CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand (ESP), Team Sanya (CHN) and Groupama sailing team (FR) – are expected to arrive into Abu Dhabi early in January.
To host the race fleet, and the more than 100,000 expected fans, ADTA has purpose-built a sweeping ‘Destination Village’ on the UAE capital’s Corniche breakwater. Free to the public, it will be packed with activities and entertainment including exhibitions, shows, simulators, hospitality, game zones, restaurants, cafes and shops. It will open 31st December 2011 to 14th January 2012.
The emirate’s historic hosting of the Volvo Ocean Race fleet kicks off this New Year’s Eve with multi-award winning rock band Coldplay taking to a specially-designed concert arena adjacent to the Destination Village. Tickets for the show can be purchased now at www.thinkflash.ae
In addition to daily, free on-shore activities, a full sailing and watersports programme will run throughout the fortnight for kids and adults. Volvo Ocean Race will also run classrooms and practical workshops to teach sailing to all ages, whilst a number of local racing regattas will be held for sailing aficionados and newcomers.
Also the six competing Volvo Ocean Race teams will also compete in front of packed Abu Dhabi crowds in a pro-am and in-port race, before heading off on the 4,500 mile third race leg to Sanya, China on the 14th January 2012.
