(Newport, RI)- The Volvo Ocean Race may not officially start until October, but this
isn't stopping Team Alvimedica and Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing from
engaging in a 'friendly delivery' thanks to some special permission from
the race organizers. According to reports, the two teams organized a
'promotional start' out of Newport, Rhode Island on Wednesday that was
enjoyed by hundreds of spectators. Both boats are bound for the UK, with
Team Alvimedica destined for Southampton and Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing
bound for Gosport.“It's not easy to leave friends and family behind but it is time to get out and go sailing,” said Charlie Enright, skipper of Team Alvimedica (a champion Newport J/24 sailor). “While we have achieved a lot in our month here in Newport, we now need to maximize our time at sea together as a team.”
The next time that either Team Alvimedica or Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing sail into Newport Harbor will be during the actual Volvo Ocean Race stopover, so this was obviously a big moment for both teams, especially the American- and Turkish-flagged Team Alvimedica, whose skipper is a proud Newport-area local.
