Abu Dhabi: With just a day left before the in-port race and then the start of Leg 3 of the Volvo Ocean Race, the five boats that arrived here last Wednesday got a feel of local conditions in a short practice race yesterday afternoon.
Groupama, who finished the Leg 2 Stage 2 sprint into Abu Dhabi ahead of Telefonica, finished first in yesterday's non-scoring 3.6 nautical mile race.
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing finished second, ahead of Puma Ocean Racing, Camper and overall leaders Telefonica.
Meanwhile, fans — who get to see some action in today's pro-am race — will see the five boats battle for the first set of points in Leg 3 in tomorrow's Etihad Airways In-Port Race.
The hour-long event, which starts at 2pm tomorrow, is the first points-scoring competition of Abu Dhabi's fortnight-long stopover, with the home team Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing looking to cheer their fans with a win.
Team Telefonica are leading with 66 points, eight ahead of Camper, with Groupama on 42, Puma Ocean Racing on 28, Abu Dhabi on 18 and Team Sanya currently on four.
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing's skipper Ian Walker said his team are looking to garner some useful points in tomorrow's in-port race.
"It has been a rollercoaster start to this race. We've experienced every emotion and are only 11,000 miles into the race," said the British double Olympic medallist.
Local knowledge
"Getting to Abu Dhabi from Cape Town was so important for us and, now we are here, getting a great result in front of so many home supporters is our sole focus."
Walker, who sailed the emirate's seas for nine months last year in preparation for the Volvo Ocean Race challenge, said that local knowledge will help the team, but maintained that, with the five-strong fleet so evenly matched, boat handling will most likely prove the decisive factor in the race for victory.
"The in-port course is very tight, so it negates our home turf advantage to some extent. Where this race will be won will be on handling, tactics and, most importantly, getting a fast start. This style of stadium racing is all about getting across the start line in the best position — the rich get richer as there is just not the time to make up lost ground. The teams have all proven that they are hungry to win, but we believe we are hungrier," said Walker.
For Abu Dhabi's Adel Khalid, the first Gulf national to compete in the 39-year history of the Volvo Ocean Race, tomorrow's race represents a magical moment to compete in front of his friends and family.
Support group
Having seen off competition from 120 other UAE nationals for his spot in the onboard crew, the 23-year-old Olympian rallied the local community — both national and expatriate — to come down and cheer on Azzam, the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing's boat.
"This is the build-up to everything the entire team has been working on for 18 months. We have had so much support since arriving in Abu Dhabi and we need it more than ever this weekend. I have always said being a part of this project was a dream — on Friday that dream really comes true," Khalid said.
