ABU DHABI — Arab sailing star Adil Khalid has reset his sights on a Volvo Ocean Race victory, rejoining Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing for a second shot at glory in the world's longest and toughest offshore event, dubbed the ‘Everest of Sailing'. The 24-year-old Olympian, who in the 2011/2012 race became the first Arab sailor to compete in and complete the global odyssey, joins the team this week in the UK for his competitive Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing return, taking part in the Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week's Big Boat Races (August 6-8) before crewing the team's defense of its Rolex Fastnet Race record next week (August 11-13). Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing skipper Ian Walker, who will again mentor the young Emirati in the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi)-backed team, said Khalid's experience will serve the outfit well as it again prepares for a title tilt. Khalid, a father of one who competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, has been training feverishly since finishing the Volvo Ocean Race in Galway, Ireland last July. He hopes he can take home the coveted trophy on his second attempt to help inspire future Arab sailors to get out on the water. Joining his fellow countryman, 27-year-old Butti Al-Muhairi, also returns to Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, on the shore team, after a successful stint in the previous race. Al-Muhairi, Khalid's reserve, will guide a core group of young Emiratis working across the shore-side operations. Al-Muhairi will be led by America's Cup and Volvo Ocean Race specialist, Guy Barron, who joins as Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing's Shore Manager. With more than 25 years professional sailing under his belt, Barron will use his vast experience to optimize all shoreside operations throughout the 39,000 mile global event. In addition, highly decorated sailing veteran, British Olympian Neal McDonald, is taking the helm as Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing's Performance. Six-time Volvo Ocean Race legend, McDonald, has completed more than 200,000 nautical miles in the race over a near two decade long offshore career. Alongside Walker, he will lead Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing's competitive programs, training camps and crew development to streamline the team's 2014-15 victory pursuit, which starts next October in Alicante, Spain. — SG
