It is remarkable that a race between seven yachts over 25 days and 6,487 nautical miles came down to a margin of just 12 minutes between the first and second-placed competitors. And it’s a cause for great celebration in this part of the world that the winner in this tussle – the first leg of the Volvo Ocean Race – was Azzam, the vessel sailed by the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team.
The race was an extreme challenge for skipper Ian Walker and his crew, including Emirati Adil Khalid, who arrived in Cape Town, South Africa on Wednesday. For five days leading up to the finishing line, runner-up Dongfeng was never more than three nautical miles behind the Abu Dhabi boat.
The race is one of sport’s purest events – each team is sailing an identical craft – with the competitive edge resting in the skill and sweat of the crew. That determination will next be on display in the second leg, starting on November 19, which will bring Azzam home to Abu Dhabi before the end of the year.
