Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing ready for challenge

A large UAE flag was hoisted on Wednesday in Cowes in the UK from the towering black carbon mast of Azzam, the Volvo Ocean 65 sailing yacht of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (ADOR) to mark the Abu Dhabi-backed squad's second Volvo Ocean Race campaign, a Press release said.
In a Trinity Landing ceremony, crowds at the Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week regatta — the biggest in the UK — waved on the team as each member was introduced to the public audience.
ADOR is backed by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), which also mounted a destination ‘Oasis' in the Cowes Yacht Haven with falcons, henna and Arabic coffee winning over crowds.
"There's no doubt we created a buzz here in Cowes and people are asking more questions about Abu Dhabi, its watersports offering and about our three weeks Volvo Ocean Race stopover which starts in the middle of December,” said Nabeel Al Zarouni, Country Manager UK, TCA Abu Dhabi.
ADOR's skipper, British double Olympic silver medallist Ian Walker introduced the Cowes crowd to the eight sailors and one on board reporter he has handpicked to race around the world with him in the Volvo Ocean Race which starts in Alicante, Spain this October.
Walker said he was proud of the way the team had bonded into a cohesive force in the six months since it came together in nearby Abu Dhabi in February.
"When you are picking a team for a 39,000 mile nine month around the world yacht race you need to pick talented sailors but you also need to have people who won't crumble when times get tough — which they inevitably will,” Walker said.
"I am very pleased with where we have got to as a crew and I'm feeling as confident as I can ever remember being this close to a major event.”
The presentation of Azzam and her crew at Cowes Week came on the eve of the team's participation in the Artemis Challenge charity race on Thursday and three days before they take on four other Volvo Ocean Race teams in the gruelling week long, 1800 mile Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race.
TCA Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The authority manages the emirate's tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
TCA Abu Dhabi supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate's heritage.
A key authority role is to create synergy in the destination's development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.
Source: Khaleej Times