Volvo Ocean Race ’40 years, 40 faces’ exhibition sets sail for Abu Dhabi

Sport360 staff 16:31 09/11/2014
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  • Rough seas ahead: The '40 years, 40 faces' exhibition will take place from November 20 in the capital.

    A new photographic exhibition celebrating the first 40 years of the Volvo Ocean Race is heading to Abu Dhabi – the first time the exhibition has moved out of its home base in Alicante, Spain.

    The exhibition – '40 years, 40 faces' – will go on show at the Manarat Al Saadiyat exhibition centre on Saadiyat Island from November 20 to December 10 ahead of the capital’s much anticipated hosting of the Volvo Ocean Race fleet this December/January.

    Following its showing at the Manarat Al Saadiyat, the exhibition will move to the East Plaza  on the Corniche where it run from December 11 until January 3 to coincide with the city’s hosting of the race.

    “This is a remarkable photographic record of a race which has now been running since 1973,” explained Mohamed Sultan Al Zaabi, Senior Stakeholder Professional, Events Bureau, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).

    “It will be part of an exciting build-up to our hosting of the VOR fleet when the entire UAE capital will come alive with all things nautical to celebrate the race, our participation in it, our fabulous watersports offering and rich, maritime heritage.”

    The exhibition will be free-to-enter at Manarat Al Saadiyat where it will be open daily from 9am to 8pm.

    It will trace the changes in the race since its launch in 1973 when it was known as the 'Whitbread Round-The-World Race'.

    “The denim jeans and shirt have been replaced by high-tech survival gear, the boats are now made of sleek carbon fibre,” said Al Zaabi. “But the men and women who take part in this race still face the same dangers as ever, every time they leave the shore.”

    Each of the 40 photographs to go on show highlight a single individual and use the “snapshot in time” to tell the race story.

    “Some of the sailors presented are true legends – iconic figures who left their mark on the racetrack – while others have been all but forgotten,” said Volvo Ocean Race CEO, Knut Frostad.

    “We received some outstanding images but we were truly blown away to receive a picture taken by a former competitor in the race, Anders Odelberg,” said Frostad.

    “Anders competed on the Swedish entry in 1981-82 and his ‘Iceman’ photo fits perfectly with our theme – that while superficially so much has changed over the 40 years, the essence of the race remains exactly the same.”

    Abu Dhabi’s Volvo Ocean Race stopover hosting will centre around a Destination Village on the Corniche Breakwater and will run from December 12 – January 3rd.

    During the stopover the free-to-enter village will be alive with watersports, entertainment and concerts and activities celebrating Abu Dhabi’s rich maritime heritage. The Abu Dhabi inport race will be held on January 2nd with the fleet leaving for Sanya in China on January 3.

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