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With this ceremony, the Spanish team kicks off the countdown to its third battle for the toughest round the world regatta

Team Telefónica has now begun the countdown to the start of the round the world regatta. The starting shot for this countdown was this evening's official opening of the Volvo Ocean Race Village at the Port of Alicante. Of course, the home team was there: Team Telefónica, led by crew Skipper Iker Martínez.

Crowds gather for the inauguration

Although the event began at 20:30 (local time), two and a half hours earlier the gates to the Race Village were already brimming with thousands of eager fans not wanting to miss out on this event which was also attended by the Mayoress of Alicante, Sonia Castedo; President of the Generalitat Valenciana, Alberto Fabra, and Volvo Ocean Race CEO, Knut Frostad.

Waiting for these figures were the six crews taking part in the upcoming regatta, each on board their yachts. One by one, and starting with the last of the boats to officially announce her entry, the group visited the crews that will sail around the world from November 5^th, when the starting gun will fire a shot for the start of the first leg in the eleventh edition of the Volvo Ocean Race.

On the quayside next to Telefónica Basque Skipper Iker Martínez waited as his crew did the same on board. They were greeted warmly by both the local authorities and by the public, who gave them the biggest cheers of all.

Looking forward to starting

Following the speeches, it was time to introduce the crews. In “Telefónica”'s case Skipper Iker Martínez was the first to be asked by the event's host about the upcoming challenge, one that they will start in just 15 days time: almost 40,000 miles of sailing (74,080 km) across five continents. “We are very happy to be here in Alicante and the truth is that we can't wait to get going”, the Spaniard was heard to say over the Race Village PA system.

One by one the crew were introduced to the public and greeted the crowds: Xabi, “Ñeti”, Zane, Diego, Neal… and, of course, Pepe Ribes, the only sailor in the competition from the Valencia region and Captain of the Spanish yacht, whose family, friends and fellow countrymen attended this date at the port en masse.

A Valencian farewell

A truly impressive firework display, an area in which the Valencians are experts, added a spectacular final touch to the ceremony.

Team Telefónica would like to express its thanks to both the crowds who attended the ceremony and to the city of Alicante itself and the support and affection it has shown for the Spanish team.