The capital gets ready for the Volvo Ocean Race fleet

So far, it looks like it’s been plain sailing for the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (ADOR) team. Azzam stormed the first leg from Alicante to Cape Town and a comfortable win in-port in South Africa has made Skipper Ian Walker and his crew one of this year’s major contenders to be Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) champions.

But setting aside the victories so far – and hopefully those to come – it’s a salutory reminder that this event really isn’t plain sailing when these sailors arrive in port with their exhausted and damaged bodies.

This eight-month race is the longest and toughest event in professional sport. Sailors encounter 16-metre high waves, ice-cold salt waters, sleep deprivation and back-breaking work. Let’s not even talk about the food they have to eat…

Now on the ‘home’ straight, ADOR is on its way to the capital and is no doubt determined to let VOR fans see yacht Azzam’s sails peak the horizon first as it arrives this December. And in true Abu Dhabi style, the capital will be putting on a welcome for these prolific sailors that is sure to draw a rip-roaring crowd.

Welcome home

From 12th December, a 23-day festival will be available to residents and tourists, as the Destination Village opens its doors. Plenty of entertainment, sailing, watersports and family fun will feature, with the village open from 12pm to 9pm weekdays and 11am to midnight at the weekends.

Opening day welcomes George Fenton, the Oscar-nominated composer along with a 75-piece orchestra to perform music from his original score of BBC’s award-winning series Blue Planet – all of which will be performed on a floating stage! The music will be accompanied by a 12-metre video wall, which will screen some of the well-known footage from the series. A second performance will also take place on 13th December. Tickets start from AED 300 and are available at: www.itp.net/tickets/blueplanet.

Another orchestral addition to this year’s festival sees the Birmingham City Orchestra take to the floating stage as they perform a modern, classical programme built around British composers Britten and Elgar. The concert will take place on 15th December.

The following day welcomes renowned guitar masters Jason Carter, Kamal Musallam and Dominic Miller as the trio perform A Sea of Strings. Their fusion of classical, traditional and contemporary styles makes this one of the must-watch performances of the festival.

Jaslah, the well-known Emirati musical show, will dazzle crowds on 26th December, as talent from across the Gulf will showcase musicians, clappers and singers take to the floating Destination Village stage.

Get your game on

The Destination Village will hold a plethora of sporting events.

Twilight Touch Beach Rugby will get the ball rolling on the 14th December, as UAE Touch, the region’s top touch rugby organisation, will be hosting games for all to watch at the Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club (ADSYC) beach from 14th to 18th December and 21st to 23rd December at 6pm.

Also at ADSYC beach, football and rugby will welcome junior sportsmen to take part in competitions. Some great prizes will be up for grabs including mall vouchers, waterpark passes and VOR merchandise. Running on 21st, 23rd, 28th and 31st December.

As the sun goes down, you’ll be warming up – Duplays is conducting a series of fitness sessions on the ADSYC beach. The 90-minute classes will feature a warm-up, an aerobic workout and a warm-down routine. From 5pm to 7pm on the 14th, 21st and 23rd December.

From the beach to the water now, and after the VOR fleet arrives between 14th and 16th December there will be plenty of aquatic adventures for the village visitors.

The Olympic Rowing Festival will see two days of the UAEs ardent rowers do battle on the waters off the ADYSC beach. Entrants are still welcome for the 19th December event, so if you’re interested visit: www.adsyc.ae

Also running on the same date is the Dragon Boat Festival. The UAE Dragon Boat Association is teaming up with ADSYC to bring the vibrant dragon boat race to the Corniche with a special two-day event. For more visit: www.dubaidragonboat.com

How about 43ft dhows? The 27th December will see not only a spectacular race in the azure waters of the Corniche, but also a special celebration of local Emirati heritage held at the Destination

Village. The event will see cooking demonstrations, falconry shows, dhow building, and Arabic calligraphy and language workshops.

There’s a chance to spot a future star from 26th to 28th December, as the Volvo Ocean Race Youth Academy gives young local sailors classroom and practical instruction in a three-day sailing clinic. Limited slots are available. To register email: [email protected]

Azzam will take on the Emirate’s 60ft Dhow Racing champions in a downwind match off the coast of Lulu Island, as a battle of old and new entertains the crowds. 30th December, Lulu Island. Limited on-water viewing slots, so email: [email protected] for more details.

Just before we let Walker and his team disappear for the brutal third leg, it would only be fair for them to defend their title as in-port race champions. The 2nd January will see an intense race between the seven teams, all of which will no doubt want to grab the title off Azzam.

And then they’re off. The 3rd of January will see the fleet spearhead their way towards the Indian Ocean en route for Sanya, China. An electric send-off parade with traditional ceremonies, music and cultural performances will all take place. Land-based and on-water hospitality packages are available: [email protected]

 

INTERVIEW WITH… ADIL KHALID

Emirati sailor Adil Khalid, who inherited love of the sea from his family, spoke to us about being a part of the ADOR team.

What’s behind your love of sailing?

I was very much interested in sailing since I was a small boy – the sea is everything for me. Actual training began when I was ten years old at the Dubai International Marine Club. I participated in a series of modern sailing Laser-class regattas in the UAE, then on to the Gulf marine leagues, and finally Arabian level races.

How do you feel to be a part of the VOR?

I am very proud – I am the only UAE national and Arab who is participating in the event for the second time. Since I am the Marine Ambassador of the UAE I want to make sure we win at all stages of the race, to give something back to my beloved country, the wise leaderships and the generous people of my nation.

Tell us about Azzam and her crew…

We started the design and production of this 65 feet yacht in 2013, using the latest technology. We received the yacht in February 2014. We have chosen the falcon as its symbol to give us the determination, and strength and we added the colour yellow, which symbolises our desert sand.

The team was formed by Britain’s Ian Walker, a two-time Olympic silver medal-winner. The tasks are distributed between us. Among our team there are some members who participated five times in the Volvo Ocean Race earlier, and several have won international sailing race medals.

We train every day for long hours, and we compete in several internal races. The success in each race depends on the skills of the team that leads the yacht, so we chose the best international sailors who have the skills and experience, which will qualify us enough to win. In addition to that, the winning depends on the calm and focus of the team.

Why do you think it is so important that an Emirati should be part of this race?

We want to convey a positive image of the United Arab Emirates to the whole world, confirming its progress and development as well as the support and respect of all members of the society.

We also aim to attract tourists from around the world, and invite them to visit the UAE, learn about the cultural history and its development. I hope through my participation in the Volvo Ocean Race to encourage all young people in the Arab world, and especially here in the Gulf, to try marine sports.

I call on parents of the new generation to encourage their children to learn different sports and to stand by them in order to achieve their ambitions. They should urge them especially to love marine sports, which echoes the UAE’s history and heritage. The citizens of the country have to realise the importance of the sea in their lives.

Jack Dignum

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