Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (ADOR) – the emirate’s race-leading entry in the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) - has crossed the equator for the fourth and final time in the current edition of the epic race around the world.

- Volvo Ocean Race: Alvimedica leading to America
- ADOR stars aiming to earn their stripes at US finish line
- Khalid returns to help sustain ADOR’s charge towards VOR crown

The Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi)-backed team - which tops the overall standings by seven points - crossed from the southern to the northern hemisphere in the Atlantic Ocean around 600 miles northeast of Recife, Brazil, in the early hours of Tuesday, April 28.

The Abu Dhabi yacht, Azzam - meaning ‘determination’ in Arabic - also marked another significant milestone this week when she crossed her October 2014 Leg 1  track to officially complete a full circumnavigation of the planet.

ADOR skipper Ian Walker said the crew were pleased to be back in the northern hemisphere and rightfully proud of sailing around the world under the United Arab Emirates flag.

[ADOR skipper Ian Walker (front left) has guided the team through one complete revolution of the planet.]

ADOR skipper Ian Walker (front left) has guided the team through one complete revolution of the planet.

“To circumnavigate the world by ocean puts you in an exclusive group of seafarers and one which the whole crew is proud to be a part of,” the two-time Olympic silver medallist said.

“Returning to the north marks a change of pace for the race. From now on the legs become rapid-fire; they get shorter and quicker and there’s a lot at stake before the race end in Sweden.

Forty five per cent of the points are ahead of us - we’re in a strong overall race position but remain 100 per cent focused on the Leg 6 finish line in Newport, United States.”

Since starting the race on 11th October 2014, Azzam’s crew has sailed through the Atlantic, Indian, Pacific and Southern Oceans and visited South Africa, Abu Dhabi, China, New Zealand and Brazil along the way.

This reflects a total journey of close to 35,000 nautical miles sailed over 118 sailing days.

UAE Olympic sailor Adil Khalid said he was immensely proud ADOR had made it successfully around the world and was topping the leaderboard as the race entered its final stage.

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