Hometown heroes Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing claimed their second inshore victory on Friday, winning the Etihad Airways In-Port Race in front of thousands of local supporters.
Abu Dhabi, who take six points for a dream victory in front of their home fans, were followed by Groupama sailing team in second and CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand in the third podium place. PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG were fourth, followed by overall race leaders Team Telefónica in fifth.
Skipper Ian Walker said it was great to win on home waters: "We so wanted to win the race so we were prepared to take risks. We knew if we could win it would be very special for everyone."
“We’re involved in a nine-month odyssey round the world but today is the most important day for Abu Dhabi. We have never seen this many boats out on the water to watch racing, and there are lots of people out who are new to sailing. Right now all they are seeing is their country flag being waved. It’s a real thrill for that to happen."
PUMA led the fleet out of the start line, but a penalty turn made within minutes of the start cost them pole position. CAMPER made massive gains on the windward side of the downwind course, but it was home favourites Abu Dhabi who gained the lead at the first mark.
Abu Dhabi secured a 30 second jump over the fleet on the first 1.4 nautical mile run, but lost their lead in a port/starboard clash midway through the second leg when they were forced to dip Groupama’s stern. The close quarters upwind battle continued, with Abu Dhabi regaining the lead at the second mark.
At the third mark, after just a few minutes reaching, Abu Dhabi led Groupama by just 38 seconds, followed by CAMPER, PUMA and Telefónica, who slipped to last after a problematic second mark rounding.
Abu Dhabi’s Azzam consolidated their lead as the fleet started the second lap of the eight-plus mile course in a southerly breeze gusting around seven knots. The locals clung to the lead for the remainder of the race, with fists pumping on board as they crossed the line after just under an hour's racing.
Few were more thrilled than Azzam’s local sailor Adil Khalid, the first Emirati to compete in the Volvo Ocean Race, who waved the flag of the United Arab Emirates as they finished.
A touch of royalty joined the fleet, with His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan racing on board Azzam.
Thousands of spectators lined the shores of Abu Dhabi and hundreds more took a front row seat on board spectator boats, as the fleet battled the third of 10 in-port races, which account for around 20 per cent of all points.
The more than 4,000 nautical mile Leg 3 race to Sanya will start on Saturday, with the first stage race from Abu Dhabi to a point off the Sharjah coast getting underway at 1400 local time, 1000 UTC/GMT. Early forecasts are tipping fresh north-west winds of 13 to 16 knots inshore, building to 18 to 22 kts offshore.
1. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing 6 points
2. Groupama sailing team 5
3. CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand 4
4. PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG 3
5. Team Telefonica 2
Overall:
1. Team Telefonica 68
2. CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand 62
3. Groupama sailing team 47
4. PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG 31
5. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing 25
6. Team Sanya 4*
* Team Sanya can still score points for Leg 2 and the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi In-Port Race if they complete Stage 1 in racing conditions.
From Volvo Ocean Race
Abu Dhabi, who take six points for a dream victory in front of their home fans, were followed by Groupama sailing team in second and CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand in the third podium place. PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG were fourth, followed by overall race leaders Team Telefónica in fifth.
crédit : IAN ROMAN/Volvo Ocean Race
Skipper Ian Walker said it was great to win on home waters: "We so wanted to win the race so we were prepared to take risks. We knew if we could win it would be very special for everyone."
“We’re involved in a nine-month odyssey round the world but today is the most important day for Abu Dhabi. We have never seen this many boats out on the water to watch racing, and there are lots of people out who are new to sailing. Right now all they are seeing is their country flag being waved. It’s a real thrill for that to happen."
PUMA led the fleet out of the start line, but a penalty turn made within minutes of the start cost them pole position. CAMPER made massive gains on the windward side of the downwind course, but it was home favourites Abu Dhabi who gained the lead at the first mark.
Abu Dhabi secured a 30 second jump over the fleet on the first 1.4 nautical mile run, but lost their lead in a port/starboard clash midway through the second leg when they were forced to dip Groupama’s stern. The close quarters upwind battle continued, with Abu Dhabi regaining the lead at the second mark.
At the third mark, after just a few minutes reaching, Abu Dhabi led Groupama by just 38 seconds, followed by CAMPER, PUMA and Telefónica, who slipped to last after a problematic second mark rounding.
Abu Dhabi’s Azzam consolidated their lead as the fleet started the second lap of the eight-plus mile course in a southerly breeze gusting around seven knots. The locals clung to the lead for the remainder of the race, with fists pumping on board as they crossed the line after just under an hour's racing.
Few were more thrilled than Azzam’s local sailor Adil Khalid, the first Emirati to compete in the Volvo Ocean Race, who waved the flag of the United Arab Emirates as they finished.
A touch of royalty joined the fleet, with His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan racing on board Azzam.
Thousands of spectators lined the shores of Abu Dhabi and hundreds more took a front row seat on board spectator boats, as the fleet battled the third of 10 in-port races, which account for around 20 per cent of all points.
The more than 4,000 nautical mile Leg 3 race to Sanya will start on Saturday, with the first stage race from Abu Dhabi to a point off the Sharjah coast getting underway at 1400 local time, 1000 UTC/GMT. Early forecasts are tipping fresh north-west winds of 13 to 16 knots inshore, building to 18 to 22 kts offshore.
1. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing 6 points
2. Groupama sailing team 5
3. CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand 4
4. PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG 3
5. Team Telefonica 2
Overall:
1. Team Telefonica 68
2. CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand 62
3. Groupama sailing team 47
4. PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG 31
5. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing 25
6. Team Sanya 4*
* Team Sanya can still score points for Leg 2 and the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi In-Port Race if they complete Stage 1 in racing conditions.
From Volvo Ocean Race
