(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Volvo Race team resumes competitive action after three-week race stopover in the UAEs capital draws to a close with the in-port race.
Shaikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan being presented the Ador race during his visit to the Destination Village
Dubai — Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (Ador) — the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) — contesting team backed by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority — resumes competitive action this week as the three-week race stopover in the UAE’s capital draws to a close with the in-port race just off the city’s stunning Corniche on January 2 and the Leg 3 start to Sanya China on January 3.
Ador won the race opening leg from Alicante Spain to Cape Town South Africa and was third on Leg 2 to Abu Dhabi. These back-to-back podium results see the team — led by double Olympic silver medallist Ian Walker and including Emirati Olympian Adil Khalid the only Arab sailor in the round-the-world epic endurance trial — tied for the overall lead with the Chinese and Dutch crews.
After spending the festive break relaxing with their families and enjoying Abu Dhabi’s winter sunshine the Ador sailors are raring to get back racing and navigator Simon ‘SiFi’ Fisher said the team’s mood is upbeat.
“Everyone’s had a chance to recuperate from the first two legs and enjoy time with their families” said the Ador navigator. “Now they’re enthusiastic to get back to work and into racing again. This is a busy week with a practice race and preparations for the in-port race and leg start.”
Fisher said although the in-port race does not score overall points the Ador crew would be sailing flat out to pull off a win to get the home crowd on the Corniche cheering – just like they did in 2012 when he and Walker masterminded a spectacular in-port-winning performance in Abu Dhabi.
“We’re all looking forward to the in-port race because this is our home stopover and we want to put on a good show for our fans here” he said. “We always get fantastic support in Abu Dhabi and we want to return the favour with a win.” Fisher says he expects one of two likely local weather scenarios to play out on in-port race day.
Meanwhile Shaikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan the chairman of Abu Dhabi Sports Council on Thursday took a tour of Abu Dhabi’s Volvo Ocean Race Destination Village as it prepared for a packed weekend ahead with fans and visitors flocking to the Corniche Breakwater to catch the racing action as well as enjoying the last two days of Village activities and excitement.
Shaikh Nahyan was given a full briefing on the entertainment that has enthralled visitors at the sprawling 35000 square metre purpose-built waterfront site at Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club over the last 21 days including the sports entertainment and leisure activities that were an integral part of Abu Dhabi’s Stopover for the end of Leg 2 of the race.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.