24 November 2014 Early November, the Volvo Ocean Race committee selected the Damen FCS 5009 Patrol – built at Damen Shipyards Cape Town – to be the 2014 Official Committee & Start vessel. Pro-Am race #1 On Thursday 13 November the race flags and clock were fitted and the vessel was taken out for a practice run, which went very smoothly. The next day was the Pro-Am race #1 and with a wind speed of over 24 knots, the conditions proved to be rather testing! In-Port race On Saturday 15 November the vessel returned to the V&A Waterfront for the In-Port race which was won by the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team. Pro-Am races #2 & #3 The Pro-Am races #2 & #3 were held the next day and due to more strong Cape Town winds, only one race took place before everyone returned back to port. Second leg Volvo Ocean Race The start of the second leg, which sends the contestants to Abu Dhabi, has taken place on Wednesday 19 November and is sure to be another exciting voyage for all!