Azzam seek upturn in Volvo Ocean Race in-port fortunes ahead of setting sail on Leg 7

Azzam crew in action during practice ahed of the Newport in-port race. CJ Gunther / EPA

While Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s Azzam has proven the dominant force in the Volvo Ocean Race, their form has slipped in the in-port race series.

Having won at Cape Town in November to lead after Leg 2, Azzam fell back after finishing sixth in the fifth race of the series at Auckland in March.

Second place in the in-port race before Leg 6 from Itajal last month saw them finish second behind Team Brunel, and they go into Saturday’s race at Newport in the United States just one point behind leaders Brunel in the standings.

While overall victory in the main race remains the team’s priority, Azzam captain Ian Walker said he was looking for a strong showing from his crew to get them topping both of the tables.

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“We led the in-port race series for the first four races,” Walker said. “It was only a bad result in Auckland that knocked us off the top.

“For sure, we will be racing hard to get back on top in front of the Newport crowds.”

Emirati sailor Adil Khalid, part of the Azzam team, shared Walker’s philosophy about performing well in the race, which begins at 10pm UAE time.

“There’s no denying it, we would love nothing more than to leave Newport as overall and in-port race series leaders,” Khalid said.

“That’s easier said than done though, and we are expecting some tough racing as usual on Saturday.”

Azzam will be joined for the race, expected to last one hour, by Zdeno Chara from the Boston Bruins of the NHL as their guest on board the vessel.

“I’m excited to get the chance to race with a winning team like Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing,” the Slovakian said.

“Their performance so far in this race has been remarkable, and I’m looking forward to seeing them in action.”

Business picks up on Sunday when Leg 7 of the nine-leg Volvo Ocean Race begins as the six remaining teams depart Newport for the 2,800-nautical mile journey to Lisbon, Portugal.

Azzam are yet to finish outside the top three in any of the legs of the main race, winning twice on Leg 1 and Leg 5.

The Abu Dhabi boat finished runner-up on the most recent leg behind the Chinese team Dongfeng, who are their nearest challengers in the overall standings.

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