Abu Dhabi wins Volvo Ocean opener

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ALICANTE, Spain -- British skipper Ian Walker steered Abu Dhabi through testing conditions to claim victory in the opening event of the Volvo Ocean Race on Saturday.

Abu Dhabi won the opening in-port race in Alicante by a margin of 14 minutes, 14 seconds. Two-time Olympic silver medalist Walker took control at the first mark with a slick sail change, and coped well with a sudden drop in wind.

"It was very tricky on the water and none of us expected it to be," said Walker, who is aiming to become the first British skipper to win the race. "We thought it would be strong winds out there.

"We did well ... It's a great start."

Puma, skippered by experienced American Ken Read, was second ahead of Camper (New Zealand/Spain), Team Sanya (China), Groupama (France) and Telefonica (Spain) in the six-yacht race.

Walker's crew get six points for the win. More than 20 percent of all points in the race will be decided in in-port races.

"I don't think it means too much," Walker said. "But I said before we left that whoever wins today's race can go home with a spring in their step and look forward to the week ahead."

The teams head to Cape Town for the first offshore leg of the race on Nov. 5.

The boats will visit five continents, 10 countries and four oceans, and are expected to reach the finish line in Galway, Ireland, in July 2012.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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