Emirates Team New Zealand are ready for action with the first in-port race of the 2011/12 Volvo Ocean Race kicking off in Alicante, Spain, overnight (NZT).
The race will be the first time the entire Volvo fleet has competitively lined up against each other and will give everyone a chanceto gauge their speed against their rivals. It's also a chance to grab important points.
In-port races take place in all 10 host ports along the 39,000 nautical mile route and make up more than 20 per cent of the points. They are sailed close to shore over short, sharp courses requiring multiple sail changes.
Camper skipper Chris Nicholson the team is ready to go and keen to get out on the water.
"We've been building up to this for a long time and now we just want to get out there and race," he said. "We can't wait to line up against the other teams and see how we look.
"We've been showing solid form in the practice events and the guys and the boat are in good shape overall. Our preparation has been as good as what we could hope for. Now it's just time to translate that into results.
"There's a lot riding on these in-port races and we are determined to do well. The close nature of this race means that every point will count and we will be giving it our all.
"The in-port racing format is extremely demanding and the high standard of all the teams means that nothing can be taken for granted."
The first offshore leg of the Volvo Ocean Race, a 6,500 mile race from Alicante to Cape Town, starts on November 5.
