With strong Arabian Gulf winds billowing at its sterns, the Volvo Ocean Race fleet blazed into Abu Dhabi today - earning the emirate a place in sailing history books as the round-the-world event’s first Middle East host port.

The fleet’s emotional arrival, which was watched by thousands of cheering onlookers, fans, crews’ families and on-shore teams at the race Destination Village on the Corniche breakwater, began at around 4:40pm when Spain’s Telefonica crossed the official finish mark off the south-western tip of Lulu Island to clinch overall victory in the race’s Cape Town - Abu Dhabi leg.

With Groupama, Camper, PUMA and Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing not far behind, Telefonica’s arrival prompted enthusiast scenes of celebration in the Destination Village as fans clambered to see the five 32-metre high boats - each the equivalent of a 12-storey building from underwater keel to mast-tip - enter the Corniche waters and reach the hub’s pontoons.

"This is an historic day for Abu Dhabi," said Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which is behind bringing the Volvo Ocean race stopover to the emirate, as well as principal backers of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing - the first-ever Middle East entry in this ’Everest of Sailing’.

"For centuries, Arabian Gulf winds have filled the sails of traditional dhows and driven our rich maritime heritage. Today, the Volvo Ocean Race fleet has felt their force, riding the powerful gusts into the calm sanctuary of the Corniche waters to help us write a new, exciting chapter in the annals of Abu Dhabi’s sailing history." As thousands of fans jostled for position on the jetty, Mubarak Al Muhairi, ADTA’s Director General, welcomed all the crews ashore.

"The sight of this fabulous fleet reaching the Destination Village in front of thousands of spectators and sailing enthusiasts is exactly what we envisioned when we decided to bring the event to the emirate," said Al Muhairi. "While dhows, fishing and pearling underline our traditional maritime history, seeing these ultra-modern boats stationed on the pontoons with Abu Dhabi city’s glistening skyline behind them illustrates the emirate’s exciting future." After winning the second leg, Telefonica skipper, Iker Martinez, praised his crew’s efforts during an impromptu victory speech from the specially-designed Destination Village pontoons. "We had a very good race and we’re very happy," said the Spaniard, as he held his infant son, Joun, on the winners’ podium. "It was tight at the end, so we could not be happier to have won even more points in the overall standings - now we can enjoy this moment!" Elsewhere, double Olympic medalist Ian Walker, skipper of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s Azzam (determination) yacht, congratulated Abu Dhabi on the Destination Village reception and promised to redouble his crew’s efforts to secure an historic podium position in the final race standings.

"What an amazing welcome," beamed Walker. "We knew as the home boat we would get more than our fair share of support, but this has been really incredible. There is still a long way to go in this race and the reception we received today has galvanised the team and increased its determination to improve our overall position and mount a climb up the leader-board." The stirring welcome was almost too much for a clearly emotional Adil Khalid, Azzam’s sole Emirati crew member, and the first Gulf national to compete in the race. "I really can’t believe what I am seeing," croaked the 23-year old. "After weeks of seeing the same faces and spending so many days at sea, it will take a little bit of time to adjust to dry land and all this attention - not that I am not complaining! I would like to thank everyone who has come to watch the fleet’s arrival today; we are now even more determined to put on a good show for all our fans in next week’s in-port race." The fleet arrived in Abu Dhabi to a true Arabian welcome. Traditional dhows, manned by Emirati crew chanting ancient songs, accompanied the racing yachts into harbour. The race yachts docked alongside traditional dhows which were decked out for the occasion, Ayala dancers performed as the crew members came ashore and girls in traditional dress showered the crew with confetti in the colours of the UAE flag.

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 on weekdays and until midnight at weekends.

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