Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) on Wednesday unveiled their Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team's state-of-the-art Volvo Open 70 racing yacht in Portofino, northern Italy, as they chart a historic course to contest for top honours in the Volvo Ocean Race 2011/12.
The yacht - which was developed by the USA's Farr Yacht Design and built by Italy's Persico S.p.A, in Bergamo - is one of the most sophisticated ever constructed. Conceived in March 2010, it is the combination of more than 7,000 design and 49,000 build hours.
Emblazoned with a striking falcon, the national emblem of the UAE, soaring across its bow and main sails, the brilliant black yacht is tasked with carrying the 11-strong Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing through the nine-month, 39,000 nautical mile ‘Everest of Sailing', which begins in Alicante, Spain this October.
"We have invested in the very best yacht design and build technology available to underpin the expertise of the highly-skilled Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team we have formed," said Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman, ADTA and Team Principal, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing. "This level of commitment is a clear signal of our intention to deliver a first-class performance in our debut Volvo Ocean Race and in our podium ambitions."
The yacht's international debut, set against the spectacular backdrop of the Italian Riviera, was attended by VIPs from Volvo Ocean Race, the Mayor of Portofino and Official Team Partner, the luxury Swiss brand IWC Schaffhausen.
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, which boasts one of the most international crews ever assembled since the Volvo Ocean Race began in 1973, will now undergo final training in Europe, having spent the winter in the UAE capital.
Over the last few months, the team - the first Volvo Ocean Race Arabian challenger - have been spread all over the globe with weather training in the USA, wind-tunnel sail testing in New Zealand, race practice in the UK and Hong Kong, as well as mast construction in Spain and yacht build in Italy.
The team - which is skippered by double-Olympic silver medallist Ian Walker of Great Britain - have set sights on a rigorous Atlantic Ocean sailing programme, before heading to the race start in Spain this October.
