Abu Dhabi will honour, with a specially crafted award - the sailors and teams who demonstrate unbelievable acts of bravery and valour throughout the Volvo Ocean Race – the gruelling, nine month round the world yacht race, known as the ‘Everest of Sailing.’
The ‘Abu Dhabi Seamanship Award’, which has been introduced to enhance the attributes of seamanship and courage synonymous with the emirate’s deep rooted maritime heritage, will go to a deserved individual or team after each race leg – starting this Thursday evening in Cape Town, South Africa. The individual or team recipient will be judged on performance during the opening race leg from Spain, the first of nine punishing stages.
Inscribed with the words, ‘Recognising courage, bravery and fortitude; Abu Dhabi at one with the sea and sailors,’ the award is designed to represent the emirate’s heroic mariners of yesteryear, who often risked life and limb at sea for months to bring home rich pearling harvests, fish catches or trade from India and Africa.
The recipient will be decided by a panel of experts, including representatives from Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), the award’s patron, and Volvo Ocean Race.
ADTA has both a team in the Volvo Ocean Race - Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing - and for two weeks from this New Year will host the six-strong fleet, its sea hardened sailors and more than 100,000 fans in a dedicated Destination Village in the UAE capital. It is also the first Official Destination Partner of the race.