VOLVO OCEAN RACE IS SAILING INTO THE V & A WATERFRONT

The 2014/15 Volvo Ocean Race finishes its first leg in the Mother City between 2 and 6 November. The race, which started in Alicante, Spain with an in-port race on 4 October, departed for Cape Town on 11 October and will see seven syndicates take on the grueling journey, which could take anything between 23 and 27 days to complete.

Known as the Everest of sailing and one of the toughest races in the world, the Volvo Ocean Race is the biggest event on the yachting calendar. It attracts the strongest and most experienced sailors, who will no doubt experience massive sleep deprivation, physical exhaustion and of course the wrath of Mother Nature.

Luckily for us landlubbers, there’s some fun and entertainment to be had from these athletic exploits during the stopover period from 1 to 19 November. While the sailors tackle a nine month stint with which to cover 39 000 nautical miles of the most treacherous sea, the V & A Waterfront becomes a hive of activity.

The lead boat is expected to arrive in Cape Town at the beginning of November. You can welcome the sailors as they arrive from 1 to 6 November at Quay 6, and join in the fun at the official Race Village opening at 5pm on the 1^st of November.

Be part of the Open Ocean Festival action in the Race Village during the stopover period, featuring activities such as stand up paddling, fly boarding and dragon boat racing. You can also catch the IRC National regatta, the Ocean Film Festival, the Ocean Long Table Fish Braai and other Volvo Ocean Race Experiences.

The race restarts on 19 November with the ceremony starting at 3pm and competitors leaving at 6pm. Catch the pro-am races on 14 and 16 November, or the in-port race on 15 November. The Volvo Ocean Race Academy will also offer activities from 16 to 18 November. There will be an on-site classroom and playground for aspiring sailors as well as sailing officials to better hone their skills.

The Volvo Ocean Race offers something for everyone as well as every budget with many free and paid for options. The Volvo Ocean Race, the Everest of sailing, on at the V & A Waterfront from 1 to 19 November.

Visit http://www.volvooceanrace.com for more info on the race en first leg results.