SimplyAbuDhabi V

VOLVO OCEAN RACE ABU DHABI Imagine the most exciting yacht race you can, picture the world’s most demanding team sports event, visualise the exhilaration of professional crews sailing the most treacherous waters and you have some idea of why the Volvo Ocean Race caused such positive furore in Abu Dhabi. Building on the spirit of the great seafarers who fearlessly sailed more than a century ago, the Volvo Ocean Race is an endeavour which calls for incomparable strength and sailing prowess. Ten countries, four oceans, one race – it’s hardly surprising that Abu Dhabi was excited and is still reeling about being part of such a magnificent sporting experience and it just had to be something we commemorated in the A&J diaries. During a nine month adrenalin fuelled adventure out as sea, the Volvo Ocean Race sees the competing teams sail over 39,000 nautical miles of hazardous seas in a thrilling race. The action started in October 2011 in Alicante and will continue until July 2012 when it will no doubt come to a memorable conclusion in Galway Ireland. During that time, the astounding action will have sailed via Cape Town, Abu Dhabi, Sanya, and Auckland, around Cape Horn to Itajaí, Miami, Lisbon, and Lorient. Each entry has a professional crew of 11 who demonstrate their competitive edge, sheer seafaring skills and magnificent physical endurance. Some legs even require the crews to race continuously for more than 20 days at a time undertaking an extreme challenge few will experience in their lifetime. Living on freeze dried food, with only one change of clothes and at the mercy of temperature variations from -5 to +40 degrees Celsius, this is not an undertaking for the faint-hearted. To survive the challenges of sleep deprivation and extreme hunger, it is vital to operate as an efficient team with each crew member taking on their own roles on board. Two will have undertaken crucial medical training, and there’ll be a sail maker, an engineer and a dedicated media crew member. At the Heart of the Adrenalin-Fuelled Action The first 31,250 nautical-mile race took place over 37 years ago (as the Whitbread Round the World Race 1973-74), challenging the crews with some of the fiercest conditions known to man. This is the first time the Middle East has been part of the prestigious race route so you can imagine our excitement at the opportunity to experience the heart of the action during our A&J diary travels. The 11th edition of the Volvo Ocean Race proved to be, like all the races before it, an adventure of a lifetime for those involved. We were there as Abu Dhabi proudly welcomed the succession of splendid racing yachts, their sea hardened sailors and over 100,000 expectant spectators and we were proud to cheer on the national team as they caused a huge stir with a remarkable victory on January 13. Regarded by many as the zenith of sailing achievement, the race holds a prestigious status as the world’s leading global race combining a unique mix of sporting competition and adrenalin-fuelled adventure. Abu Dhabi’s appealing climate, azure crystal waters and expansive coastline make it a destination abuzz with on-the-water action throughout the year and now it has successfully played host as one of ports in the Volvo Ocean Race. It is thrilling that Abu Dhabi has become the first Middle Eastern port in the event’s 37 year history and they certainly pushed the boat out to make it a stopover to remember. We have some unique memories of an incredible two weeks. As Abu Dhabi played host to the ultimate mix of onshore glamour and offshore drama, we were highly fortunate enough to be at the heart of the action where we witnessed the stamina and endurance of the crew first hand and soak up the exhilarating atmosphere at the Volvo Ocean Race village. We were amongst the lucky visitors able to get really up close and personal to the fleet of Volvo Open 70 racing yachts as they arrived in Abu Dhabi at the end of the race’s 5,430 nautical mile Leg 2 from Cape Town, South Africa. The Abu Dhabi Stopover The Destination Village became home to a number of high profile stars and exciting events whilst the yachting action unfolded. Having secured its place in the history books as the first Middle East port in the race’s 37-year history, Abu Dhabi really pulled out all the stops to ensure its fortnight stop-over was a notable and truly memorable home port experience. Not only did the legendary rock band Coldplay get 2012 off to an unforgettable start with a sensational sell out New Year’s Eve concert to mark the opening of the Volvo Ocean Race stopover in Abu Dhabi, but the Village on the city’s Corniche breakwater also hosted many other thrilling activities and shows to keep visitors enthralled and entertained throughout the two week stopover. In a spirit of adventures where the rich tapestry of Abu Dhabi’s cultural history collided beautifully with the modern thrills of a sensational sporting event, for the lucky holiday makers, this was a trip like no other. At the heart of the race’s two week stopover in Abu Dhabi lay the specially-designed 55,000m2 ‘Destination Village’, officially opened on New Year’s Eve by His Excellency Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, His Excellency Ahmed Thani Al Rumaithi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club and Knut Frostad, CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race. Overlooking Abu Dhabi’s breathtaking city skyline, the interactive village incorporated exciting game zones, various enticing food and beverage outlets and tempting merchandise shops. Within the village a remarkable programme of entertainment was laid on for visitors. In just two incredible week’s Abu Dhabi’s port hosted a welcoming ceremony, in-port racing, city receptions, headline concerts courtesy of global superstars and interactive race villages catering to families. Standing impressively at the size of eight football pitches, the purpose-built free-to-the-public ‘Destination Village’ on the breathtaking Corniche breakwater provided a hub for plenty of entertaining on and off water activities, such as rides, sailing schools, games and competitions, as well as Volvo Ocean Race action. The packed programme of exciting events included the Volvo Ocean Race Academy team racing clinic and regatta, beach cleans and workshops as part of the race’s ‘Keep the Oceans Clean initiative’, and two impressive local Dhow racing regattas. Getting up Close to Winning Vessels Visitors also had the fantastic opportunity to get up close to the fasting racing yachts in the world as the 70 Volvo Open Race Yachts visiting the capital were displayed at the Destination Village during the stopover. Jordana and I were thrilled to have the chance to get a glimpse behind the scenes to see how repairs are carried out and modifications made to these supreme sailing machines by dedicated shore teams. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team’s shore base at the heart of the village featured see-through walls and a sail loft open to the public. The attendance of the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing crew, led by British double Olympic medallist Ian Walker and the first ever UAE national to compete in the race, Adil Khalid was a major attraction and it was a thrill to see the team’s training yacht and learn more about the challenging conditions on board. 130 S IMPLY ABU DHABI