The
Volvo Ocean Race is an exceptional test of sailing prowess and human endeavour which has been built on the spirit of great seafarers - fearless men who sailed the world’s oceans aboard square rigged clipper ships more than a century ago.
Their challenge back then was not a race as such, but recording the fastest time between ports. This meant new levels of pride for themselves and great recognition for their vessel.
The spirit that drove those commercial sailors along the web of trade routes, deep into the bleak latitudes of the Southern Ocean and around the world’s most dangerous capes, emerges today in the form of the Volvo Ocean Race, a contest now seen as the pinnacle of achievement in the sport.
The first edition of this sporting adventure came in the wake of two remarkable sailors of the last century, Sir Francis Chichester and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, men who drew worldwide acclaim for amazing solo voyages around the planet. Inevitably their success led to talk in international sailing circles of a race around the world for fully crewed yachts. It became a reality in 1973 with The Whitbread round the World Race, the longest, most demanding and perilous sporting contest the world had known.
Dangerous it was. In that very first race three competing sailors were lost after being washed overboard during storms. This led to the inevitable call for that inaugural contest to be the last, but the desire for unbridled adventure and great competition led to the race being staged every four years.
The re-badged Volvo Ocean Race was run for the first time in 2001-02. Today it is, quite simply, the ‘Everest of Sailing’.
During the nine months of the 2008-09 Volvo, which starts in Alicante, Spain in October 2008 and concludes in St Petersburg, Russia, during late June 2009, the teams will sail over 37,000 nautical miles of the world’s most treacherous seas via Cape Town, Kochi, Singapore, Qingdao, around Cape Horn to Rio de Janeiro, Boston, Galway, Goteborg and Stockholm.
Each of the seven entries has a sailing team of 11 professional crew, and the race requires their utmost skills, physical endurance and competitive spirit as they race day and night for more than 30 days at a time on some of the legs. They will each take on different jobs onboard the boat and on top of these sailing roles, there will be two sailors that have had medical training, as well as a sailmaker, an engineer and a media specialist.
During the race the crews will experience life at the extreme: no fresh food is taken onboard so they live off freeze dried fare, they will experience temperature variations from -5 to +40 degrees Celsius and will only take one change of clothes. They will trust their lives to the boat and the skipper and experience hunger and sleep deprivation.
The race is the ultimate mix of world class sporting competition and on the edge adventure, a unique blend of onshore glamour with offshore drama and endurance.
It is undeniably the world’s premier global race and one of the most demanding team sporting events in the world.
Cochin (Kochi)
From time immemorial the Malabar coast on the West coast of India, has been a busy maritime destination attracting thousands of traders and sea farers.Kochi, known as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea”, is one of the most ancient natural ports in the world. For centuries, Kochi has been attracting visitors and traders from all parts of the world and many of them have, after assimilating the culture of the region, lived in Kochi for centuries.
The modern all weather and strategically located port of Kochi is a rapidly growing maritime gateway to peninsular India. Kochi offers a perfect blend of the quintessential charm of tradition and modernity. It is the fastest growing metropolis in the beautiful State of Kerala, truly “Gods Own Country”.
Kochi is a major tourist destination attracting 1.3 million tourists every year from India and abroad, which is more than one fifth of the total tourists visiting the state of Kerala. Cochin Port is the most popular destination in India for international luxury cruise ships. Its long and virgin coast line, tranquil backwaters, heritage and historical sites, antique shops, spice trade centres etc are unique to visitors.
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| Event | Date | Distance |
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| | Alecante | In-Port Race | 04 October 2008 |
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| | Alicante | Leg 1 START | 11 October 2008 | 6,500 Nm |
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| | Cape Town | Leg 2 START | 15 November 2008 | 4,450 Nm |
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| | Kochi (India) | Leg 3 START | 13 December 2008 | 1,950 Nm |
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| | Singapore | Leg 4 START | 18 January 2009 | 2,500 Nm |
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| | Qingdao | Leg 5 START | 14 February 2009 | 12,300 Nm |
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| | Rio De Janeiro | Leg 6 START | 11 April 2009 | 4,900 Nm |
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| | Boston | Leg 7 START | 16 May 2009 | 2,550 Nm |
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| | Galway | Leg 8 START | 6 June 2009 | 950 Nm |
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| | Göteborg | Leg 9 START | 14 June 2009 | 525 Nm |
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| | Stockholm | LEG 10 START | 25 June 2009 | 370 Nm | |
Volvo Ocean Race, Kochi : Events
There would be a flurry of hectic activities from 3rd December 2008, when the racing yachts arrive at Kochi till their departure on 13th December 2008.
The arriving Race Yachts will be accorded a grand welcome in traditional Kerala style. There would be several activities of interest like group activities involving school children,
*National days of countries represented by the countries featuring national food, entertainment, dance etc.
* Week end festivals: food festivals, boat show etc.
*Traditional boat race, Entertainment and stage shows
*Music and Fire works
Race Leg Prize-giving Ceremony
Departure ceremony
The Simulator
The simulator will offer people the opportunity to see exactly what Life at the Extreme is like on board a 70ft Volvo Ocean Race Yacht. This 3 minute ride will take you through a thrilling simulation of the legendary Volvo Ocean Race - a unique sailing experience without having to go anywhere near the water.
Race started from ALICANTE, Reaches Cochin in 43 Days
For More Info. about Volvo Ocean race : Click Here
Be There..........
