Dubai - Arab Today
Volvo Ocean Race, VOR, champions-elect, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, ADOR, has set off from The Hague in The Netherlands on the final leg of the round the world race after arriving in fifth place on Friday for a scheduled pit stop.
The ADOR crew left for Gothenburg, Sweden at precisely 15:53:43 hrs. on Saturday with an unassailable points advantage that means they are assured of being crowned VOR champions irrespective of their finishing position on the ninth and final leg of the nine-month, 39,000 mile race.
The fleet left The Hague in the order they arrived from Lorient, with Abu Dhabi's yacht Azzam crossing the starting line in fifth place, three hours, 53 minutes and 43 seconds behind the leader.
The victorious ADOR sailors will receive heroes' welcomes when they arrive in Gothenburg, where they are expected in the early hours of Tuesday, June 23rd.
Source: WAM