Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing's Azzam leaving the shores of Rhode Island as she departs Newport. Photo Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing's Azzam leaving the shores of Rhode Island as she departs Newport. Photo Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing

Spaniards playing catch-up with Volvo Ocean Race rivals



ALICANTE, Spain // Three Volvo Ocean Race 2014/15 crews – Team SCA, Team Brunel and the Spanish challengers – will go head to head in the first competitive clash of the new one-design Volvo Ocean 65s in the Round Canary Islands Race from Friday.

The 650-nautical mile race around the seven Canary Islands, which starts and finishes at Marina Rubicon in Lanzarote, is expected to take three days to complete.

The event will give an early indication of form for the half of the Volvo Ocean Race fleet so far announced before the event begins on October 4.

At opposite ends of the scale in terms of preparation, Iker Martinez's Spanish-backed boat will take on two of the most-practised crews in the fleet: the all-women crew of Team SCA and Bouwe Bekking's Team Brunel.

Martinez, who was this week confirmed as the skipper of a campaign that has yet to announce its main title sponsor, knows he faces a major challenge to catch up on his rivals who, in some cases, have had more than a year’s extra experience handling the new Volvo Ocean 65s.

As least he will not be short of serious racing know-how on board after renowned French offshore figure Michel Desjoyeaux joined the crew for the Canary Islands test as part of his role as a senior adviser for the team.

“It’s a big challenge – not only because the Volvo Ocean Race is such a long and tough race for all the crew members – but also because we know we do not have much time left before the first leg start on October 11,” said Martínez, who was skipper of fourth-placed Telefonica in the 2011/12 edition.

“We know that we’re really pressed for time and the other teams are far ahead in terms of preparation, but we are working hard to make up the difference.”

In contrast, under the strict Volvo Ocean Race rules, Team Alvimedica and Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing are not competing against each other as they cross the Atlantic from Newport, Rhode Island, to Britain and are forbidden from closing to within three kilometres.

The crews crossing the Atlantic have lately been bedevilled by a lack of wind. Abu Dhabi skipper Ian Walker said: “What was a race north is now a race east, which has brought Team Alvimedica right back into the race.

“We’re making our way east, just not very quickly.”

sports@thenational.ae

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The specs

Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors

Power: 480kW

Torque: 850Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

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North Pole stats

Distance covered: 160km

Temperature: -40°C

Weight of equipment: 45kg

Altitude (metres above sea level): 0

Terrain: Ice rock

South Pole stats

Distance covered: 130km

Temperature: -50°C

Weight of equipment: 50kg

Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300

Terrain: Flat ice
 

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The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”

COMPANY PROFILE

Company: Bidzi

● Started: 2024

● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid

● Based: Dubai, UAE

● Industry: M&A

● Funding size: Bootstrapped

● No of employees: Nine

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

Company%20Profile
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Company%20profile
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SPECS
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Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol

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Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option 

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The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8

Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm

Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km

Price: Dh380,000

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