The first points on offer in the latest edition of the Volvo Ocean Race were awarded to Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing at the in-port race in Alicante.
Ian Walker skippered the team, to a convincing 14-minute win over their closest rivals, with light winds making racing difficult during the Volvo Ocean Race’s version of stadium sailing.
PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG were second, ahead of CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand in third. Team Sanya edged Groupama sailing team for fourth, with Team Telefónica coming home sixth.
Ian Walker, from Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing said:
“It’s a great win, I feel fantastic. It’s a great start for Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing. I don’t think it means too much but I said before we left the dock that whoever wins today’s race can go home with a spring in their step and look forward to the week ahead.”
The in-port race was the beginning of the points scoring competition which will take in 39,000 nautical miles. Although Abu Dhabi won by a long way, the rest of the fleet finished within seconds of each other suggesting that the race will be closely fought.
The in-port races will be contested in 10 Host Ports around the world, testing the crews’ skills at close-quarters manoeuvres and tactics. More than 20 per cent of all points are up for grabs in the in-port racing, which could prove vital when overall positions are decided. The races also provide a show for the millions of people who will watch the race worldwide.
An incredibly close start saw Abu Dhabi, CAMPER and Groupama lined up and equally matched, each looking for the slight advantage over their rivals. After a weak start, Telefónica and Sanya were left playing catch up.
As the yachts approached the first mark it was PUMA´s Mar Mostro with the inside track but sailing’s ‘rules of the road’ meant Ken Read’s team had to give way to Ian Walker’s crew and the United Arab Emirates’ first ever entry in the Volvo Ocean Race took the lead.
Slick crew work from Walker’s team saw them extend their lead during leg two. A nightmare rounding at the second mark saw CAMPER slip from second to fifth, a perfect example of how one mistake can cost dearly.
A dwindling breeze in Alicante Bay confounded the situation on the water as the teams struggled to keep their boats moving. The instability of the breeze led to the race committee shortening the course, and with a substantial lead over their opponents, victory was assured for Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing.
The race was also a chance for the Volvo Ocean Race to test their new ‘livestream’ capabilities which combines live video, and images for an online audience.
Iberdrola In-Port Race provisional results.
Position / Team / Time / Points
- 1. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing / 53 minutes 44 seconds/ 6
- 2. Puma Ocean Racing powered by BERG / 1 hour 07:58 / 5
- 3. CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand / 1:10:11 / 4
- 4. Team Sanya / 1:10:43 / 3
- 5. Groupama sailing team / 1:11:11 / 2
- 6. Team Telefónica / 1:12:08 / 1
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