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Team Russia receives Blessing before VOR start

by Team Russia media on 11 Oct 2008
Team Russia (skippered by Andreas Hanakamp competing in the Volvo Ocean race in-port race in Alicante, Spain) Rick Tomlinson/Volvo Ocean Race http://www.volvooceanrace.com

Large crowds gathered on the dockside in Alicante today as Russian Orthodox Priest Father Sergey blessed Team Russia just one day before the start of the Volvo Ocean Race.

In an intimate blessing ceremony, conducted in Russian below deck with team principal Oleg Zherebtsov (RUS) and helmsman Rodion Luka (UKR), Father Sergey blessed the Volvo Open 70 Kosatka and her crew in a traditional Russian Orthodox ceremony.

Team Russia is blessed © Team Russia http://media.teamrussia.org
Team Russia is blessed © Team Russia http://media.teamrussia.org

Holy water was scattered around the decks of the boat and over the crew assembled on board in a service to bless the boat and safety of the sailors during their epic round the world race.

Tomorrow at 2.00 pm the Volvo Ocean Race begins from Alicante, Spain travelling to Cape Town in a 6,500 nm journey that is expected to take 23 days.

http://www.teamrussia.org/

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