Good morning from Abu Dhabi. We're looking forward to the first part of a points-scoring double-header in Friday's in-port race, ahead of Saturday's Leg 3 Stage 1 sprint up to Sharjah. We'll have all the action and chat from today's race, which you can watch live on www.volvooceanrace.com and new.livestream.com/volvooceanrace
We've just had a quick chat with Franck Cammas down at the dock and he's feeling pretty good after the Groupama team's victory in the sprint into Abu Dhabi. "The light winds sail we've been testing has given us a lot of confidence, as previously we thought we were weak in light airs."
Franck also gave us an insight into his leadership style on Groupama 4. "I tend to shout a bit but I'm working hard on staying calm and keeping the noise level down on the boat. Bu it can be a stressful situation in these races and sometimes you have to shout."
One of the things the skippers are doing here is riding a camel during the parade. Ken Read, skipper of PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG, is not looking forward to it. "The last time I rode anything was a horse on my honeymoon. I like my animals much smaller."
Skippers are now on the camels for the departure ceremony. Fingers crossed, guys!
All the sailors are now on the boats and we can report that Ian Walekr has already broken out the sandwiches on Azzam. Everyone looking very relaxed, and Adil Khalid in particular very smiley on his home patch.
HRH Prince Andrew, special guest of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, is now on board with the team
Ian Walker is giving him the grand tour of Azzam
While we wait for the start of the Etihad Airways In-Port Race, we're just about to start looping the departure ceremony.
Stay tuned for live action from the startline
@Gordon You can see the livestream on iPad at www.livestream.com/volvooceanrace
Abu Dhabi skipper Ian Walker chatted to our reporters dockside about having Britain's Prince Andrew on board Azzam: "
I don’t think we could be under any more pressure to be honest! It’s fun, it’s great to have senior people interested in the race. It’s great for Abu Dhabi to have the likes of Prince Andrew coming here, and for the British royals to deem this an important region. Not just Prince Andrew of course – we also have a member of the Abu Dhabi Royal Family. It will be great to show them the boat and hopefully we will have a good race to show off to them."
@Gordon the live feed from Abu Dhabi will start up again closer to the race start 1400 local time (1000 GMT) and it should work then!
Our dockside reporters caught a few words with Prince Andrew:
“This is an excellent opportunity to go sailing. I have been following the Volvo Ocean Race for a number of years, way back from when it was Whitbread. Now Volvo have this magnificent challenge ahead of them and I wish everyone every success. It’s a great privilege to be able to join them today.”
Volvo meteorologist Gonzalo Infante says there is a light southerly wind locally that will decrease throughout the day. He says the water temp is too high to create a good sea breeze. He predicts that come race start at 1400 local, the wind will be variable, 0-4 knots.
@Einar We will be live streaming the start of the race as per usual, and then calling into the boats during the sprint.
In ten minutes' time we'll be going live back to Abu Dhabi ahead of the Etihad Airways In-Port Race. Racing starts 1400 local time - 1000 UTC. Follow it live at www.volvooceanrace.com
Five minutes until the start of the live feed from the Etihad Airways In-Port Race! Watch it at www.volvooceanrace.com or at www.livestream.com/volvooceanrace
We are now live from Abu Dhabi at www.volvooceanrace.com and at www.livestream.com/volvooceanrace
There is still a little breeze ... we're a minute away from the 10-minute gun ...
@Antoine HD will be up and running shortly
And there it goes ... 10 minute gun has sounded
Good morning from Abu Dhabi. We're looking forward to the first part of a points-scoring double-header in Friday's in-port race, ahead of Saturday's Leg 3 Stage 1 sprint up to Sharjah. We'll have all the action and chat from today's race, which you can watch live on www.volvooceanrace.com and new.livestream.com/volvooceanrace
Volvo meteorologist Gonzalo Infante says there is a light southerly wind locally that will decrease throughout the day. He says the water temp is too high to create a good sea breeze. He predicts that come race start at 1400 local, the wind will be variable, 0-4 knots.
