Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (ADOR) is set for its first competitive Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) event of the 2014/15 campaign with the Alicante In-Port Race on Saturday.
The one-hour showdown will see the seven-strong fleet race on a tight inshore course next to the Alicante Race Village, with ADOR — the reigning in-port opener champions — looking to lay down a marker with the first leg of the main race just a week away.
ADOR is hoping to repeat its 2011-12 VOR in-port race performance in Alicante, when it skilfully outmanoeuvred the competition in light winds to claim first blood in the marathon contest.
The team's challenge for the in-port title this time will be witnessed up close by a pair of Olympic stars, as British triathlete brothers Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee — reigning champions of the annual Abu Dhabi International Triathlon — agreed to join ADOR on its Azzam yacht as celebrity guests for the race.
"We train down in this area regularly so it seems fitting we're here for the start of the Volvo Ocean Race,” said Jonathan, who, along with sharing victory with his brother at Abu Dhabi in March, also won the 2012 World Championship and Olympic bronze at London 2012.
"I've never been on a boat as big as Azzam before so it'll be great to see how fast it can go.”
Alistair, the current Olympic, European and Commonwealth champion, was also ready to experience a resounding win for Azzam, but had one eye on maintaining his dominance over his younger brother.
"It's something I've always been interested in, I'm really looking forward to the experience and trying my hand at pulling some ropes,” he said. "I'm sure I'll be better than Jonny at grinding too.”
ADOR fans can watch the Alicante in-port race action via a live online feed at http://www.volvooceanrace.com.
Source: Gulf News