Abu Dhabi, 21st March 2011 (WAM) - Sailing fans can get up-close and personal with Volvo Ocean Race history at this weeks Abu Dhabi Yacht Show (ADYS), with personal tours of the record-breaking training yacht used by Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA)-backed team contesting the 2011/2012 race being held at the three-day event.

The Abu Dhabi team used the former ABN AMRO TWO - which set the 24 hour distance record in the 2005/2006 Volvo Ocean Race, known as the Everest of Sailing - throughout the winter in the UAE capital in its preparation for the gruelling, 39,000 nautical mile round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race beginning in Spain this October.

Since arriving in the emirate, the veteran yacht has also played host to a wealth of world-class athletes including golf stars, Lee Westwood, Phil Mickelson, Louis Oosthuizen, Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer, as well as Sir Steve Redgrave, the five-time British gold medal winning Olympian rower.

And with the 11-strong Abu Dhabi outfit which includes UAE national and Olympian, Adil Khalid, amongst its ranks - set to move to Europe for the summer to train on its new, state-of-the-art Volvo Open 70 being built in Northern Italy, race fans will have a final chance to see the inner workings of the historic race yacht and try out the testing conditions the sailors endure out at sea at ADYS.

"The Volvo Open 70 epitomises raw sailing power and it will be a great opportunity for visiting sailing fans to see first-hand the awesomeness of this yacht, learn more about its history and better connect with the Volvo Ocean Race, which will be coming to Abu Dhabi on New Years Day 2012," said Faisal Al Sheikh, Events Manager, ADTA which lead-manages the team and is headline sponsor of the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show.

Also being able to see the cramped and trying conditions these brave sailors have to endure whilst out at sea, for sometimes up to 40 days, is quite incredible. It real puts in perspective the sacrifices they make to push for podium honours in this ultimate ocean race." Running 24-26th March at the stunning Yas Marina, ADYS will be co-located and jointly promoted with the season opener of the FIA GT1 World Championship 2011 one of the motor racing calendars most glamorous events.

Abu Dhabis new Volvo Open 70 racing yacht has been designed by the USAs Farr Design and is currently being built by PERSICO S.p.A. in Italy.

In addition to skipper Ian Walker, the British double Olympic medallist, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing has already signed up 2008/2009 Volvo Ocean Race winning navigator, Jules Salter from the United Kingdom; Volvo Ocean Race 2005/06 winner, Justin Slattery of Ireland; New Zealands Craig Satterthwaite, a 2007 Americas Cup winner; Australias Wade Morgan, the teams newest under-30s member; and Volvo Ocean Race and Americas Cup veteran, Simon Fisher from the UK.

Recently, 22-year-old Adil Khalid, who represented the UAE at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, beat off more than 120 hopefuls to secure his place in the sailing team making him the first Emirati to compete in the Volvo Ocean Race. He is joined on the shore team by fellow countryman, Butti Al Muhairi.

In addition to boasting one of the most competitive crews lined-up for the Volvo Ocean Race 2011/12, Abu Dhabi is also fully committed to its New Year 2012 hosting of the Volvo Ocean Race prior to the yachting fleet embarking on its third leg to Sanya, China. The emirate will be the first Middle East stopover in the events 37-year history.

ADTA, which was behind the emirate's successful bid to become a 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race home port and the events first Official Destination Partner, believes the Abu Dhabi stop-over will be a race highlight giving visitors a unique opportunity to connect with its centuries-old maritime heritage. It is also looking to its race involvement to position the emirate, which boasts a 400 kilometre coastline and over 200 natural islands, as a preferred winter sailing destination.

The 2011/2012 Volvo Ocean Race will start in Alicante, Spain next October and end in Galway, Ireland, in summer 2012. Abu Dhabi will welcome teams from January 1-14th 2012 after they complete a gruelling leg from Cape Town. The Volvo Open 70 racing yacht is sailed by professional athletes, who race around the world with the prevailing winds.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2011.