Volvo Ocean Race Stop Over – Kochi Preparations | The Finest Yachts and The Boating Lifestyle in India…and All Over the World.

Volvo Ocean Race Stop Over – Kochi Preparations

2 December 2008 No Comment

Almost all the teams have arrived or soon will be arriving in Kochi (India) as the 2^nd leg stopover of the 37,000 nautical mile ocean race. The 8 teams will be receiving a low key welcome due to the recent terror attacks that took place in India. Yachts that were to arrive on the 3^rd Dec to the 13^th of Dec have been provided with berthing facilities. Some of the families of the team members have already been in Kochi for over a week now.

Events –

There will be a host of events awaiting the sailors and spectators.

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

And this one’s for all the non sailors who want to experience the real thing. For the 1^st time there would also be a simulator which would run for 3 minutes that would provide a thrilling simulation of the legendary Volvo Ocean Race, it’s a machine that will enthrall your senses and make you want to just jump onto the real yacht. You can have a look at the preview of the simulator. Click here to have a look at the video.

Celebrations –

Inaugurations, visits, exhibitions, guest of honors, the kochi Volvo stop over will provide a complete celebration background for the sailors as well as guests and spectators.

The Race village would be inaugurated by Excise and Labour Minister, P K Gurudasan on November 30. This will be followed by a visit of Union Shipping Minister T R Baalu on December one, who will dedicate the BTP Berth extension, the berthing place for race yachts, to the nation.

Ocean Race Trade Fest, the mega exhibition at the Race village will be inaugurated on December 2.

The race will be flagged off at a colourful ceremony by Union Tourism Minister, Ambika Soni and Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.

Even a special restaurant is being constructed for the Volvo ocean race kochi stopover. The CGH Earth restaurant which has been shut for a while now will be commencing its operations for the Volvo ocean race. The restaurant is located at the race village on the 3^rd floor of the race office which also houses the media centre.

From the restaurant you can view the beauty of old Kochi, Fort Kochi and Mattanchery. “The restaurant is built exclusively for the stopover event. It will function from November 27 to December 13. Though it is a temporary set up, everything will be available here,” said Erin Louis, general manager, CGH Earth.

As this the 1^st time such an prestigious event is making its stopover in, we believe that that the Indian tourism industry would get a boost and would also give India and Kochi an opportunity to showcase its immense yachting potential and scenic destinations that are the country has to offer. It would also prove as an invitation for other such events and yacht owners as a lucrative yachting destination, be it for professionally run ocean races or leisure stopovers.

Source – Trading markets

Security –

Due to the attacks the security has been stepped up by the organizers to protect the yachts and sailors in the best possible manner. Mr N Ramachandran, Chairman, Cochin Port Trust, told UNI this evening that a strong security regiment had been mounted around the race village. Measures include close circuit TVs in and around the race village and two speed boats specially acquired from the US by the CPT to keep a close watch on the waterfront.

Visitors will also be put through several layers of security checks and only those with security passes would be able to access areas closer to the yachts.