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4 - 10 NOV 2011
Sailors set for Cape Town by Louise Clarke THE OFFICIAL start of the Volvo Ocean Race takes place tomorrow as the six teams prepare to head out to Cape Town in South Africa. The Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team delivered an early blow to their rivals after picking up the first points of the 2011-2012 Race with a comprehensive win in last week’s inaugural in-port race in Alicante. The crew, led by British skipper and double Olympic silver medallist, Ian Walker, romped home with a massive 14-minute lead over their closest rivals, PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG. CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand came in third, whilst Team Sanya edged the Groupama sailing team for fourth, with the Spanish Team Telefónica coming home sixth. CRUCIAL Ian Walker was delighted with his team’s victory. He told RTN: “It’s a great win, I feel fantastic!” He added: “It’s a great start for the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team. Like I said before we left the dock, whoever won today’s race can go home with a spring in their step
and look forward to the challenge ahead.” The in-port race marked the start of the epic 39,000 nautical mile round-the-World race, tipped to be the most hotly contested edition in the event’s 38-year history. And after opening their account with a crucial win, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing will go into the first offshore leg with a maximum six points and a psychological advantage. GREAT VIEW Crowds for last week’s event were huge, despite the strong winds and pelting rain that greeted the teams as they left the dock in Alicante, but by the time the start gun fired at 2pm, the weather had cleared and spectators got a great view of the action from the Volvo Ocean Race Village. The Race Village officially closes after the start of the race tomorrow, but there is still time to get down there and experience a great venue with lots of things to see and do. The six teams set off from Alicante bound for Cape Town at 2pm tomorrow (Saturday) and it is expected that the leg will take around 21 days to complete.
Denia to charge 1,000€ to wed at the castle COUPLES MAY now say “I do” at the historic Denia Castle for a fee of 1,000€. In an attempt to pull some cash into the coffers the local council have agreed to open the castle for wedding ceremonies for couples that fancy a fairy tale theme. And they have also decided to cash in on weekend ceremonies at the local town hall office where a civil service in conducted during the week at 100€ - from now on the same service will cost double on weekends.
FREE APP Meanwhile, the Volvo Ocean Race has launched a FREE app in order to make the World’s premier round-the-World yacht race easier to follow than ever before. The app, for iOS and Android, makes it simpler than ever for fans to keep tabs on their favourite teams as they race the 39,000 nautical miles
around the planet. The race tracker provides the latest data including exact positions, boat speed, direction and weather conditions, so you can stay informed on the race no matter where in the world you are or what you are doing. Through the app, which also has an iPad version, fans can stay tuned in to all the action and it can be downloaded from iTunes.
Arrested for defrauding 200,000€ using ‘Nigerian letters’ THE GUARDIA Civil in Santa Pola has arrested a 43-year-old man accused of scamming nearly 200,000€ from around 13 people in Belgium, Holland, USA, Romania, Austria and Germany, using ‘Nigerian letters’. Information received last June via Europol indicated that a Belgian national had been the victim of a scam of more than 28,800€ by making the victim he’d won a substantial amount through social networks, in this case 517,000€. To claim the cash a set amount is required on deposit via bank transfer to the fraudster under a false identity. Agents have confiscated up to 3,000€ in cash, a mobile, several laptops, bank cards that evidence the movement of more than 116,000€ in revenue since last January and four false passports. The suspect, of Nigerian origin, is accused of the alleged crimes of embezzlement, fraud, theft and forgery. Investigations are on-going.
Book your adventure with Gandia Tours and RTN’s Exclusive readers offer THIS DECEMBER there are two special Christmas shopping trips to Spain’s most prestigious and historic cities – Barcelona and Madrid. The Barcelona trip departs on 21st December and gives a fantastic opportunity to shop and see the city. Adventurers will stay in Hotel Cristal, a four star hotel centrally located on the city’s famous Ramblas, within striking distance of mayor shopping centre and city sights. Leaving the Costa Blanca for Madrid on 14th December, discover the winter wonderland of the capital,
The victorious Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team
travellers are guaranteed to be at the centre of the action. In Madrid, accommodation is booked in the three-star Hotel Ganivet, close to the historic Plaza Mayor and fabulous shopping street Gran Via. This is an unbeatable opportunity for anyone who enjoys making new discoveries. RECOMMENDATION Book your place as soon as possible as seats are limited and both three day and two night breaks will be fully booked soon. Prices are based on sharing a double room and includes breakfast.