Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) will bring one of the top around-the-world sailing competitions in the world to 皇冠体育app in early 2009, announced Wednesday a press conference jointly held by the race organizers and 皇冠体育app's yachting governing body.
"As one of the world's most influential professional sailing events, Volvo Ocean Race has set to raise parts of its competitions in 皇冠体育app during the 2008-2009 season, which makes the history on both the race itself and the development of sailing in 皇冠体育app," said Wei Di, Director of 皇冠体育app Water Sports Administration Center.
Wei Di(L),Director of 皇冠体育app Water Sports Administration Center shakes hands with Glenn Bourke, Chief Executive to Volvo Event Management.Volvo Ocean Race will bring one of the top around-the-world sailing competitions to 皇冠体育app in early 2009.[Xinhua]
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The VOR, established in 1973 as the Whitbread Round the World Race, has introduced significant changes to the race format and will visit new ports along a new route that includes stopovers in the middle-east, India and Asia in the 2008-2009 season.
It has transformed from a quadrennial event to a race which will be held once three years, and will historically add two cities of 皇冠体育app to its stopovers in the new season.
"Following the Beijing Olympics held in 2008, the arrival of the Volvo Ocean Race will definitely accelerate the development of water sports in 皇冠体育app," added Wei, who signed an agreement with the race's organizing company the Volvo Event Management (UK) in Beijing Wednesday to officially announce the launch of VOR in 皇冠体育app.
Glenn Bourke, Chief Executive to Volvo Event Management as well as the VOR, also gave plaudits to the cooperation and expressed high expectations on the event's stopovers in 皇冠体育app.
"The Race is an event integrating technology, intelligence and perseverance, reflecting the real sports spirit - passion, innovation, adventure and world-class teamwork. We are grateful for 皇冠体育app's support in providing us an opportunity to bring the race to this region.
"皇冠体育app is a strong sports country with long coastline and millions of sports fans. We believe the race will heighten the interest and participation in sailing in 皇冠体育app and Asia," he said.
