Volvo Ocean Race sailboats arrive in Newport

By Rebecca Turco and Matt Blanchette

rturco@abc6.com
@mattblanchette
The six sailboats competing in the Volvo Ocean Race around the world have arrived at Narragansett Bay in Newport. Team Alvimedica, featuring skipper Charlie Enright of Bristol arrived just before 3:30 am local time. That boat also features Nick Dana, a  Newport  native.

Several of the people on board these racing boats have ties to Rhode Island—and since Newport is the only stop in North America, their family members are getting a rare opportunity to see them in action.

Amory Ross, a Newport man, is an on-board reporter on one of the ships and his family couldn’t be more proud. They say Ross has always loved the water.

“He loves sailing, he loves the ocean, he loves the water. So I would think that his happy place in the whole entire universe is to be on the water,” said Kathy Ross, his mother.

Ross coupled his love of sailing and reporting, blogging for the Volvo Ocean Race. He’s on-board Team Alvimedica, detailing the sailors’ journey. The boat also boasts some other Rhode Islanders.

Kathy describes, “It’s not just extra special for us. It’s extra special for this whole entire town, to have them coming home to their home port.”

Amory’s proud brother took the red eye from California to be here for the big finish, “It’s awesome. It was his vision for a while, he knew he wanted to do it and he set his goals on it and he achieved it.”

His family is anxiously waiting to see him again and sheer him and the sailors on.

“I think proud is an understatement. We’re proud, we’re elated, we’re excited, we’re thrilled,” continued Kathy.

© WLNE-TV 2015