Simon 'Sci Fi' Fisher from Hamble, Hampshire has joined Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (ADOR), the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority's (TCA Abu Dhabi) entry in the 2014/15 Volvo Ocean Race. Fisher is one of four new crew members announced this week as the team gathered for the first time in the United Arab Emirates' capital - the others are Australia's Phil Harmer, Ire-land's Justin Slattery and New Zealand's Andrew McLean.

The team, skippered by Britain's double Olympic silver medalist Ian Walker, is aiming to be the first Arabian entry to win the prestigious round-the-world-race which begins in Alicante, Spain this October.

Fisher, a 34-year-old law and chemistry graduate, is making on his fourth Volvo Ocean Race bid and his second in ADOR colours.  

"To win the Volvo Ocean Race you need good all round sailors who are team players," Fisher said. "This Abu Dhabi crew is packed with those kind of sailors who are also very tough both mentally and physically." 

The ADOR 'Fab Four', who have a total of 12 Volvo Ocean Race campaigns between them and have all previously raced with Walker, join previously announced Emirati crewman Adil Khalid, Australian under-23 recruit Luke Parkinson and British On-board Reporter Tom Bushell.

Like Fisher, Slattery dons the ADOR strip after running the bow of the team's 'Azzam' (deter-mination) yacht in the last race.

McLean and Harmer previously raced around the world with Walker two editions ago. In the 2011-12 race Harmer was part of the winning Groupama crew and McLean finished second on CAMPER - this time both plan to use their experience to help Abu Dhabi's quest for a Volvo Ocean Race victory.

"Sci Fi is widely regarded as one of the brightest all-round sailors of his generation," said Walker. "A trimmer by trade, he'll be in charge of maintaining sail shape at sea.

"Phil, Andrew, Sci Fi and Justin each bring unique skills and invaluable experience to the team and I couldn't be happier to have them aboard," said Walker. "We all enjoy sailing together and that can an important factor in the pressure cooker environment of a nine-month yacht race around the world." 

The final member of the nine-man ADOR line up will be announced in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, the existing crew is this week exploring Abu Dhabi's sights and sounds ahead of what is planned to be a spectacular, fortnight-long race stopover in the emirate at the end of December. Three days of team activities over the coming days include a round of golf at the ocean-facing Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, four-wheeled racing against the clock at the Yas Marina Circuit F1 Grand Prix venue, thrills and spills at the award-winning Yas Waterworld aqua park and a visit to the Arabian Nights Village in Abu Dhabi's Al Khatem desert.

Sightseeing over, next on the agenda for the ADOR sailors are safety tests and sea trials aboard the team's new Volvo Ocean 65 racing yacht, which is nearing completion in South-ampton. The trials are expected to be completed by the beginning of March when the team will sail to its training base near Lisbon, Portugal.  

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For more information please contact: 
Results PR
Helen Batte/Jasmin Othman/Felicity Thompson/Tim Thackray 
Telephone: +44 (0)203 440 8939
Email: TeamAbuDhabi@resultspr.co.uk 

About Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. 

The authority manages the emirate's tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. 

The authority supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate's heritage. A key authority role is to create syn-ergy in the destination's development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stake-holder base.