Kochi to host world's premier offshore yacht race

Kochi is all set to take its place among select ports of the world. The historic port city will soon have the unique honour of being a stopover port for the prestigious Volvo Ocean Race 2008 - 09. The Kochi Stopover Port Agreement was signed by Andy Hindley, race director, Volvo Ocean Race, Ramachandran, chairman, Cochin Port Trust and K G Mohanlal, managing director, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation in the presence of Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, hon. minister for home, vigilance & tourism at a function in Kochi. Cherian Phillip, chairman, KTDC, Dr Venu V, secretary, Kerala Tourism and Sanjay Kaul, director, Kerala Tourism were also present on the occasion.

It is the first time that India is hosting such a prestigious sailing event and Kochi is the only port of call in India. Referred to as the 'Everest of Sailing', Volvo Ocean Race is one of the world's most demanding and daring team events. Scheduled to start in Alicante, Spain on October 4, 2008, the race will cover a total of 39,325 nautical miles before finishing nine months later in July 2009 in St Petersburg, Russia. The seven yachts participating in the race will arrive in Kochi in December and will stay for 10 days, before starting the next leg to Sentosa Island in Singapore. A race village covering 2.5 acres of land will be set up near the BTP berth at Willingdon Island.

Glenn Bourke, CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race said, "It has always been part of our vision to take the race to different and wider audiences and we are delighted that Kochi has become part of that vision". Speaking on the occasion, Dr Venu said, "It is a matter of great pride that Kochi is a stopover port for the Volvo Ocean Race's entry to Asia. Proximity to the international shipping route has already made Kochi a preferred destination for yachts and cruise ships, and VOR will further add a new dimension to Kochi's maritime prospects."