The first points of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 will be up for grabs on Saturday – and although the event is known as the world’s premier round the world yacht race, first blood will go to the team that’s quickest round an inshore course.

 At 14h the starting gun will fire and the six Volvo Open 70 race boats will open the throttles in the Iberdrola In-Port Race, marking the start of nine months of full-on competition and intense rivalry.

In-Port races take place in all 10 Host Ports around the world testing the crews’ skills at close-quarters manoeuvres and tactics. Sailed close to the shore, the races provide a spectacle for the millions of people who will watch the race worldwide, while also providing opportunity for the teams to pick up extra points that could prove vital when overall positions are decided.

For some teams the focus will be entirely on scoring in the nine offshore legs, and that will be reflected in the way they approach the inshore racing. But for others, the In-Port races will be key to moving up the overall leaderboard as more than 20 per cent of all points on offer over the entire race can be won.

For us, in the Volvo Ocean Race Media Center, this weekend will be crazy but doesn't matter, we are excited and we gonna enjoy with the start of the action in Alicante.

Links:
Info about the Iberdrola In-Port Race
How to follow the race