Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s British skipper Ian Walker ensured Azzam completed the formalities by finishing fifth in the ninth and final leg to clinch the 12th edition of the Volvo Ocean Race on Monday, and then acknowledged that he was so “superstitious” he did not touch or even look at the winner’s trophy all through the nine-month event.
The last stage of the epic triennial event — 1,000 nautical miles from Lorient, France, to Gothenburg, Sweden, via a pit-stop in The Hague, Netherlands — was won by Turkish-American challengers Team Alvimedica.
“I spent a year not daring to ever look at the trophy as my superstition was to never touch or look at it. Now finally we can do that,” said an elated Walker as Azzam touched base amid cheers from the fans who had turned up in large numbers.
“I’m happy to share that with the team and not just the guys in the team, even those outside it. Everyone has worked so hard. So we all get a chance to lift that trophy as all have worked so hard and deserve it,” added Walker after completing 38,739 nautical miles since setting sail from Alicante, Spain, in early October last year.
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, who also had the UAE’s Adel Khalid in their ranks, were on a roll all through this campaign and were the most consistent team. They secured podium places in all but two of the legs, including two victories.
Dutch Team Brunel secured second place in the overall standings after they secured the runners-up spot in leg nine, while Dongfeng Race Team of China clinched third place after claiming fourth in the final leg.
Spain’s MAPFRE and Alvimedica were tied on fourth spot overall on 34 points. However, they will get an opportunity to break the tie at the Gothenburg In-Port Race on Saturday, which will complete the tour.
Walker, with victory already assured ahead of the final leg, said it was a ‘nightmare’ going into the Hague pit-stop.
“I realised that I needed to calm down a bit and we just had a quite relaxed leg. Actually it went quite well as we caught up with MAPFRE and Brunel and also got a piece of Dongfeng at one point. It was a special moment and it was about doing those miles in good conditions with no pressure at all and savouring the moment.”
Walker also hailed Alvimedica’s triumph in the last leg as a huge shot in the arm for the sport, as it made sure that all but one of the seven-strong fleet won at least one stage.
“Six of the teams winning one leg each speaks volumes about the standard of the competition and speaks volumes of the one-design rule. That trophy would mean nothing if you are not sailing against the best. I really want to congratulate everybody against whom we have raced. There have been some incredible battles with some tight finishes and it made us better sailors in order to beat the others,” he said.
