Azzam first Arab entry in Fastnet race
State-of-the-art racing yacht competing in 600-mile event against Team Sanya and Groupama
Cowes: The state-of-the-art Volvo Open 70 racing yacht Azzam (Determined) and her international Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing crew will today become the first Arab entry to compete in the UK's iconic 600-mile, Rolex Fastnet Race.
Azzam and her talented crew — who will later this year contend the 2011/2012 Volvo Ocean Race — will compete in the Fastnet against her Volvo Ocean Race competitors, Team Sanya and Groupama. Abu Dhabi's skipper, double Olympic silver medallist, Ian Walker, says his outfit is ready for this global debut challenge.
"We have a lot of respect for this race and it is always tough," said Walker.
Adel Khalid, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing's young Emirati crew member, will make his international debut in the Rolex Fastnet Race.
"He has come on in leaps and bounds and this will be a great test for him," said Walker.
Fastnet Veteran Ken Newman, who at almost 83 years old is preparing for his 27th Fastnet challenge, welcomed Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing's Emirati members 22-year-old Khalid and 27-year-old Butti Al Muhairi to the international sailing fraternity. "It is so heartening to see two young men from a nation new to international sailing competition presenting themselves so well on the worldwide scene," he said.
