In-port racing in Alicante, Spain. Photo: AFP

Organisers hope to get Singaporeans excited for Volvo Ocean Race stopover in December

THE Volvo Ocean Race is regarded as the Formula 1 version of yachting. But unlike the motorsport, it does not enjoy the same mass global appeal, partly because it is not a spectator-friendly sport.

This December and January, Singapore will host the fourth leg of the 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean Race, which started on Saturday in Alicante, Spain, and ends in the Russian city of St Petersburg next June.

The 37,000 nautical mile around-the-world race, which has also been dubbed the “Everest of sailing”, features seven teams of 11 professional sailors each, including Telefonica Blue and Black, and Puma Ocean Racing.

Getting Singaporeans excited over the around-the-world yacht race will not be easy, said Low Teo Ping, deputy chairman of the 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean Race Singapore Stopover Steering Committee.

“The biggest challenge is not the race itself, as we’re expecting good conditions and winds during the north-east monsoon during that time,” said Low in a telephone interview from Alicante yesterday.

“Instead, it is trying to get more people to come to watch it, and participate in the festivities in the Race Village.”

The Race Village, featuring attractions such as simulators and a 360 degree screen, will be held at the One° 15 Marina Club at Sentosa Cove, where the boats will dock during their three-week stopover.

The Volvo Open 70 yachts — measuring 21.5m in length and a mast height of 31.5m — are due to arrive here on Dec 22 or 23.

There will be an in-port race and pro-am race off East Coast Park on Jan 10 and 11, respectively, before the yachts leave for Qingdao on Jan 18.


Get ready for simulators and spectator boats

Low is part of a Singapore delegation which includes representatives from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Singapore Tourism Board and Sentosa Development Corporation, who were in Alicante for the opening leg of the world’s fastest monohull race to observe how the race was organised and to acquaint themselves with race organisers, officials and teams.

“It’s our first time hosting, so it’s better to come and observe how its done and be doubly sure of what to expect,” said One°15 Marina Club chairman Arthur Tay, who is also part of the Singapore delegation in Alicante.

Tay added the steering committee intends to reach out to the schools and associations here to cultivate an interest in the sport amongst the young.

“What struck me here in Alicante was the number of school kids involved,” he said.

“There were so many of them here, trying out the simulators and getting educated on the sport and the race, and observing the boats.

“We want to do this too in Singapore, reaching out to schools and associations to get school kids interested.”

Another possible way to increase public interest is to have spectator boats, each carrying about 100 spectators, said Low.

“That way, it will bring the action closer to the spectators.”

The race will be the next high-profile sports events here, following last month’s 2008 Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix, and next month’s Barclays Singapore Open golf championship.

“We’ve talked to race organisers, officials and the teams on what they expect in Singapore,” said Low.

“It’s all about keeping our eyes open and being sensitive to all these things.”

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