Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing Wins DHL Shore Crew Award

MIAMI, May 22, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DHL, the world's leading logistics company, has awarded the DHL Shore Crew Award to Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing for overcoming what could have been race-ending obstacles ahead of Leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012.

After dramatic efforts to fix hull damage on its racing yacht Azzam in the depths of the Southern Ocean, Abu Dhabi's skipper Ian Walker suspended racing in Leg 5 and headed to Puerto Montt in Chile on April 4. The emergency repairs were not strong enough to withstand the impending cyclonic weather forecast around Cape Horn, yet the team was determined to make the start line in Itajaí, Brazil.

DHL provisioned a chartered vessel to transport Azzam to Itajaí and the crew had four days to make vital repairs and get the yacht ready for the DHL Itajaí In-Port Race on April 21 and then the start of Leg 6 to Miami the following day.

The award was presented to Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing by Roger Crook, Chief Executive Officer, DHL Global Forwarding, Freight at the official prize award ceremony in Miami. DHL initiated this award to recognize the behind-the-scenes efforts of the team's shore crews, which include boat builders, sail makers and others, to make the competing yachts as competitive and seaworthy as technically possible.

"As the Official Logistics Partner of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012, DHL is proud to honor Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing for its hard work, tenacity and expertise shown when faced with adversity. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing came together and worked around the clock to ensure the boat was ready for the next phase of this grueling round-the-world race. Just as DHL is forced to deliver in high-pressure situations, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing also rose to the challenge," said Crook.

Today's win is the second for the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing shore crew. It hoisted the trophy for Leg 4 after the crew, led by technical shore manager Mike Danks, showed a proactive attitude and again performed wonders to be race ready. The boat had run aground ahead of the Sanya Haitang Bay In-Port race and the shore crew discovered three meter-long scratches on their keel bulb. Danks dived down to sand out the problem areas, which spared them having to hoist the yacht out of the water.

DHL's logistics experts also have aided the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing shore crew, answering an emergency call to replace a broken mast just hours after the six racing teams had sailed away from Alicante, Spain for the start of the Volvo Ocean Race last November. DHL delivered a new mast to Alicante that was quickly installed so Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing could get back in the race.

Winners of the DHL Shore Crew Award for previous legs are:

• Alicante to Cape Town: Team Sanya
• Cape Town to Abu Dhabi: PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG
• Abu Dhabi to Sanya: PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG
• Sanya to Auckland: Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing
• Auckland to Itajaí: Groupama

DHL's support of Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 includes transportation of high-end gear for the crews and haulage of Race Village pavilions for visitors to the 10 stopover locations along the 72,000-kilometer route, as well as short-term supply of spare parts in case of an emergency. DHL uses a total of 152 containers for shipping the hundreds of tons of materials.

You can find more information and pictures on the internet: www.dp-dhl.com/press , www.dhl-brandworld.com and http://www.facebook.com/oceanracebackstage

Media Contact:

Bea Garcia

Director of Media Relations-Americas

Deutsche Post DHL

Phone: +1-954-701-9265

Email: bea.garcia@dhl.com

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DHL is the global market leader in the logistics industry and "The Logistics company for the world". DHL commits its expertise in international express, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation, contract logistics and international mail services to its customers. A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories and about 275,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their supply chain requirements. DHL accepts its social responsibility by supporting climate protection, disaster management and education.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL. The Group generated revenue of 53 billion euros in 2011.

For more information: www.dp-dhl.de

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