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Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority’s (ADTA) dynamic Destination Village on the UAE Capital’s Corniche Breakwater is the place to be this Wednesday afternoon to bid a warm Arabian welcome to the Volvo Ocean Race fleet.
The first yacht to make it to the UAE capital after the second leg from Cape Town, South Africa, is expected to sail into the village pontoons at around 3.30pm - and the crew are in for a real ’Emirati’ welcome.
Traditional dhows, manned by Emirati crew chanting ancient songs, which once spurred on pearl divers as they endured months and months at sea, will accompany the racing yachts into harbour. The race yachts will dock alongside traditional dhows which will be decked out for the occasion, Ayala dancers will perform as the crew members come ashore and girls in traditional dress will shower the crew with confetti in the colours of the UAE flag as they make their way up the pontoon to the welcoming committee.
They will then be greeted by a welcome delegation of ADTA dignitaries and stakeholders as well as Knut Forstad, CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race.
The yachts will arrive at various times throughout the afternoon and early evening with ADTA planning a celebratory ’welcome’ firework show at 6pm.
"The arrival of these yachts will be seen around the world by those who are following the race on various networks and through the Volvo Ocean Race website - it is our chance to give TV and online viewers, radio listeners and newspaper a taste of what this emirate is all about - and that is distinctive hospitality, freely given," said Faisal Al Sheikh, Events Manager, ADTA.
"We encourage everyone to get down to the village on Tuesday afternoon to really make this a stand-out welcome. We anticipate a particularly loud roar of applause when our own Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s yacht Azzam, with Adil Khalid, the only Emirati sailor ever to take part in the race, arrive home. Visitors can come earlier and stay later for the fireworks and more as there is so much to do and see in the village they will be fully entertained the whole time - and it’s all free.
"This is a day when Abu Dhabi writes its way into sailing history annals as we are the only Arabian Gulf city ever to host the race and we are determined it will be a day to remember for all the right reasons and that it is shared with all possible." The awesome Volvo Ocean Race fleet will be in Abu Dhabi until January 14 when it sails for Sanya in China. Until it leaves the Destination Village, which is as big as eight football pitches and packed with entertainment, hospitality and sailing opportunities will be open 11am until 11pm daily with extended hours at weekends.
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