Channel NewsAsia 25 Apr 08;
SINGAPORE : Singapore will be the first in Southeast Asia to host the prestigious Volvo Ocean Race.
The boats will be here for three weeks from Dec 22. This will be the longest stopover for the 10-month yacht race - which covers 39,000 nautical miles and takes competitors around the world.
Singaporeans will get the chance to experience the high-tech boats when they arrive here in December.
While they are here, two in-port races - off the Marina Barrage - are being planned. One is for the pros, while another is a pro-am, where amateurs can be sailors for a day.
Low Teo Ping, President, Singapore Sailing, said: "We will be providing launches for people to watch it. We are also looking as to whether we can set up some pontoons on the water itself, with viewing galleries... We are looking at how we can bring people closer to the race itself."
The One Degree 15 Marina Club at Sentosa will play host to the 70-foot yachts. There are plans for the public, including school kids, to have access to the boats.
Another area where the public can visit is the Race Village, where a host of fun activities is being planned.
There are also specific events for kids in the lead-up activities.
Arthur Tay, Chairman, One15 Singapore Ocean Race, said: "(These are aimed at) reaching out to school children, the young leaders of sailors in the future. We will have presentations, videos to educate people, get them involved and also maybe host a couple of programmes at One Degree 15."
Organisers are spending about S$10 million to host the event, but they said the returns will be much higher. - CNA/ms
