The first leg of the 2011/2012 Volvo Ocean Race got off to a gripping start: two boats were forced to return to port. DHL leapt into action to save the race for the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team.
After their mast broke, the Abu Dhabi boat turned around right away. DHL’s challenge was to make sure the team’s spare mast met them at the harbor. This bulky piece of backup equipment had been in Alicante for the start of the race, but was now heading back to DHL’s Airside Warehouse in Amsterdam, where all the spare items are stored.
DHL worked all night to get Abu Dhabi's mast back to Alicante in less than 24 hours!