Sports | Saturday 7 February, 2015 12:42 am |

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (ADOR), the UAE capital’s entrant into the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) 2014-15, is aiming to tighten its grip on the In-Port Series when it takes on its five international rivals in the Sanya In-Port Race in China on Saturday.

Although the In-Port points don’t count towards the overall race, they could be very important at the very end of the round-the-world sailing challenge if there is a tie between teams – another reason the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi)-backed crew is going all out for a good result in Sanya.

After the team sailed to consecutive podium results in Alicante, Cape Town and Abu Dhabi, ADOR skipper Ian Walker says he and the crew are fully focused on consolidating their two-point advantage at the top of the In-Port Series standings with a strong performance in the Chinese heat.

“We are leading the In-Port Series currently and we want to keep it that way with a strong showing here in China,” said Walker after the Abu Dhabi yacht Azzam – which means ‘determination in Arabic - won Thursday’s official practice race in Sanya.

“The In-Port races don’t affect the overall scores, but that doesn’t matter – we will be out for a podium result on Saturday to make our fans back home proud. Also, the racing on the offshore legs is so tight that tied scores at the end of the race are looking increasingly feasible. The In-Port Series could end up deciding who lifts VOR trophy at the end of June.”

UAE Olympian and ADOR trimmer Adil Khalid said he was looking forward to doing battle in the Sanya In-Port Race and remembered enjoying some great racing in Sanya during the last race when ADOR finished third.

“The conditions in Sanya are great for yacht racing,” he said. “It’s been windy here all week but the wind direction is generally offshore which means the water stays relatively flat. However, it can also be shifty and gusty which makes it harder on the sailors but if we get those conditions on Saturday we will be in for some spectacular action.”

The Sanya In-Port Race and Leg 4 start will see a return to action of Phil Harmer, who missed Leg 3 from Abu Dhabi to Sanya due to illness and an injured wrist. Happily, after three weeks of rest and recuperation, the Australian helmsman and trimmer has been declared fit and ready to race.

“I am pleased to say I’m feeling good and glad to be able to get back in the fray,” Harmer said. “It was hard to sit out the last leg, but, looking at the big picture, it was the right call. Now I just can’t wait to get back on Azzam.”

ADOR will need to switch modes quickly on Saturday evening to load Azzam up with sails and provisions for the fourth leg of the round the world race which starts the following afternoon.

Saturday’s one-hour Sanya In-Port Race starts at 14:00 local time (10am in Abu Dhabi), and ADOR fans can follow the action live online at www.volvooceanrace.com.