Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team

Sailing to victory in the inaugural Iberdrola In-Port Race in Alicante, Spain on October 29, Abu Dhabi created history as its first entry to the Volvo Ocean Race picked up the first points of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12.The 11-member crew is led by Ian Walker.Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing delivered a blow to its rivals with its state-of-the-art yacht Azzam. The team timed its start to perfection and kept its nose in front of closest rivals, Camper, as well as Emirates Team New Zealand and Puma Ocean Racing, to grab first place with an advantage of just 15 seconds."It's hugely satisfying and a real boost to the team's confidence. We worked hard and were really slick with our manoeuvres," Walker says. "Yet we still know we have a long way to go."The win also marked the debut of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing's Emirati star Adil Khalid, who is the first Gulf national to compete in the Volvo Ocean Race. Adil, 22, said he was nervous at the beginning of the race but was proud to represent his country. "This win means a lot to me" he says."I have the dual pleasure of representing my country as well as being part of an excellent international team."The Olympian is the youngest member of the team and has high hopes to bring home the championship title.The Volvo Ocean Race is the world's longest professional sporting event. Sailing the fastest monohull race yachts ever built, the six teams start in Alicante and end in Galway, Ireland next summer. The race will make history this winter when it comes to Abu Dhabi - its first stop in the region.The race will be shown live on Youtube and at Volvo Ocean Race.