Abu Dhabi: Having embarked on their second transatlantic crossing from Rhode Island, US, in less than three weeks, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (ADOR) will arrive in the UK this week for the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race.
The event, which starts on August 9 and is preceded by Cowes Week, will see five of the new, one-design Volvo Ocean 65 boats navigate Britain’s 2,900 kilometres of notoriously tricky coastline.
Four other teams — Team SCA, Team Alvimedica, Iker Martinez’s Spanish and Dongfeng Race Team — will join ADOR in Azzam at the start line of what is the final competitive test before the beginning of the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) in October.
Iker Martinez’s Spanish team will use this week’s race as an opportunity to try out potential new crew members.
The Spaniard has drafted in Guillermo Altadill and Carlos Hernandez to join his team as they attempt to secure a permanent place on board.
The team’s preparations are some way behind their rivals and the skipper is relishing the opportunity to blood some new talent.
“We’d like to try 10 more guys but we just don’t have the time — that’s the problem with such a tight schedule,” Martinez said.
Meanwhile, Dongfeng Race Team have packed up their Lorient, France, training base and are en route to the UK. The trip is particularly exciting for their Chinese sailors, who have never visited the islands before.
“Multiple Chinese crew will take part in the race, which is a major step forward for China in terms of offshore sailing,” said Team Director Bruno Dubois.
“There is still a lot to do but if we look at the big picture and our long-term goal, this is a first success. I am proud that, in just six months, we’ve managed to reach this point.”
