Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s
skipper and double Olympic medallist, Ian Walker, says the
record-breaking team is ready to put a tough start to the punishing
round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race behind them and get back to winning
ways in Friday’s Etihad Airways In-Port Race, which starts at 2pm local
time. The double Olympic medallist hopes that local knowledge will help
the team, but maintains that with the five-strong fleet so evenly
matched, boat handling will likely prove the decisive factor in the race
for victory.
Having dropped down the overall leader-board after retiring from leg one with a broken mast, the 11-strong
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing
crew has been working overtime to ready its state-of-the-art race
yacht, Azzam (determined), for the arduous seven-and-half month journey
ahead, which will see it tackle some for the world’s most treacherous
oceans as part of the 39,000-mile ‘Everest of Sailing’ odyssey.
Top Spanish outfit, Team Telefonica, has been in scintillating form
over the opening two race legs, and will be keen to maintain winning
ways in Abu Dhabi. CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand, which
currently sits eight points adrift of Telefonica in second place
overall, will also be eyeing a win to close the gap on their rivals
before the fleet heads to Sanya, China on Saturday.
The hour-long Etihad Airways In-Port Race is the first
points-scoring competition of Abu Dhabi’s fortnight-long stopover, which
is taking place at the purpose-built, free-to-attend
Destination Village
on Corniche breakwater. The Destination Village is open from 10am to
midnight on Thursday and Friday, and from 10am to 6pm on Saturday after
the fleet departs.
For more information on the Abu Dhabi stopover, please visit
www.volvooceanraceabudhabi.com