Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing target in-port series trophy at Volvo Ocean Race

During Leg 8 to Lorient, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing's Simon Fisher tries to guess what the wind will do next after slipping back from the leaders en route to Lorient. Matt Knighton / Volvo Ocean Race

Ian Walker and his victorious Azzam crew have the chance of completing a rare double when they attempt to win the Volvo Ocean Race in-port series trophy on Saturday.

The Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (Ador) boat has a strong chance of emerging victorious: Azzam holds a six-point advantage ahead of the in-port race at Gothenburg, Sweden, the final competition of the 2014/15 Volvo race.

Only a victory for their nearest competitors, Team Brunel, and a last-place finish or a failure to complete the course can deny Walker’s men from collecting another piece of handsome silverware as champions of the 10-race in-port series. They sealed the offshore trophy with five points to spare, again ahead of Team Brunel, after finishing in fifth place in the ninth and final leg from Lorient, France, to Gothenburg.

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The offshore and in-port double is not unique in Volvo race history as Mike Sanderson’s Abn Amro One achieved it in 2005/06. But another victory would be a significant accomplishment for Ador, who won the round-the-world race in their second attempt.

Walker, the 45-year-old Englishman, said he was taking nothing for granted in the final news conference for the nine-month race.

“We try to win everything we do,” he said. “Basically, we just have to make sure we don’t finish last. But it’s a pretty tight race course and there’s plenty of trouble out there if you’re not careful.”

The in-port race also will serve as a tiebreaker in the overall competition.

Team Alvimedica’s Leg 9 victory drew them level with the Spanish boat Mapfre on 34 points, in joint-fourth place. The Turkish/American team stand two points ahead of the Spanish crew in the in-port table and will be awarded fourth if they remain ahead after today’s race.

Mapfre were boosted by an eve-of-race visit to the boat in Gothenburg from King Juan Carlos, who will be an on-board spectator today. “I haven’t sailed for four years and I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

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