Abu Dhabi: The Puma Ocean Racing team's behind-the-scenes staff were recognised with the DHL Shore Crew Award for the second leg of the Volvo Ocean Race.
The Puma workers were given the award at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday night as reward for their efforts in getting the boat from Cape Town to Abu Dhabi, via an Indian Ocean safe haven.
The DHL Shore Crew Award was launched in order to recognise the behind-the-scenes efforts of the shore teams, which include boat builders, sail makers and others who make the participating yachts as competitive and seaworthy as technically possible and thus lay the foundation for a successful race.
Each shore crew is evaluated for each leg by a panel of judges appointed to assess the teams' performances. Puma won the leg two award ahead of runners-up Camper and Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing.
Frank-Uwe Ungerer, Country Manager of DHL Express in the UAE, gave the prize at the purpose-built Race Village on Abu Dhabi's Corniche Breakwater.
"The Volvo Ocean Race is a true measure of DHL's international logistical strength and network capability due to the sheer scale of precision and trust involved in making the world's most prestigious yacht race a success, regardless of any challenging environment," he said. Samer Kaissi, UAE Country Manager, DHL Global Forwarding, added: "Puma Ocean Racing's unbelievable tenacity and courage over the last leg was truly amazing and demonstrates what can be achieved when you work together.
"We are delighted to be part of this awe-inspiring challenge and relish the opportunity to play our part in helping the teams achieve great things."
