Azzam set for debut in UK event

Abu Dhabi: Ocean Racing, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority's (Adta) Volvo Ocean Race 2011/12-contesting outfit, and its state-of-the-art Volvo Open 70 racing yacht, Azzam, meaning ‘determination', will make its debut in the UK next week.

Azzam, adorned with a flying falcon logo, and her 11-strong intercontinental crew, will be unveiled to crowds at the UK's Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week — one of the world's most famous sailing regattas — and will feature in the event, running eight days from Saturday.

The team will take its starting orders in the prestigious 608-mile Rolex Fastnet Race on August 14, lining up against other Volvo Ocean Race 2011/2012 contenders — Team Sanya and Groupama — which are also fielding their newly-commissioned race yachts.

"It will be great to test ourselves against other teams and benchmark how far we've come...," said Ian Walker, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing skipper.