May

Volvo Ocean Race 2017/18 - Guangzhou Stopover Is Launching at Shanghai (China) International Boat Show

With less than 200 days left to 22nd October 2017—the official start of the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-2018 from Alicante, Spain—Guangzhou, as host city for the race's stopover in China, is officially launching its promotion campaign at the 22nd China (Shanghai) International Boat Show (CIBS) that will be held from 26th to 29th April 2017 in Shanghai, China.

CIBS is the largest and most established boat & yacht exhibition in China, participated by almost every segments of the boating industry since its first edition in 1996. The show also attracts a number of overseas National Boating Associations' participation annually.

All these have made China (Shanghai) International Boat Show an ideal platform for launching the VOR 2017/18—Guangzhou Stopover. The VOR Guangzhou Stopover Pavilion is located in Hall W5-B01, a location you will not miss.

The only Chinese team in the upcoming VOR 2017/18, "Dong Feng" will also be launching its appearance at the China (Shanghai) International Boat Show, and their booth will be located right next to VOR Guangzhou Stopover Pavilion. Both: Guangzhou Stopover, the only Stopover in Mainland China, and "Dong Feng", the only Chinese team in the race, will be forming strategic partnership to promote China and the Chinese team in the VOR 2017/18.

Besides “Dong Feng”, who are the other contenders for the 2017-2018 trophy? Currently there are four teams—Dong Feng, MAPFRE, Vestas and AkzoNobel that have already entered the race, each featuring some of the most iconic offshore sailors in recent history.

Dong Feng, waving a Chinese flag, was the debutant of VOR 2014-2015. Yet the team showed astonishing results, and made the world talk about them after having won the 3rd prize of the Race. And this year Dong Feng is back stronger and more experienced, with French skipper Charles Caudrelier determined to challenge all the way. And they’ve already assembled a top-quality squad capable of lifting the trophy, with ISAF Sailor of the Year Carolijn Brouwer stepping on board, France’s Olympic Games 2016 star Marie Riou swapping inshore for offshore, and Kiwi race veterans Daryl Wislang and Stu Bannatyne coming into the fold.

Team AkzoNobel, the first entry to announce for the 2017/18 edition, led by Simeon Tienpont, are looking to bring the glory back to the Netherlands – the most successful nation in the race’s history, with three wins—the last in 2005-06

MAPFRE, one of the most memorable participants of the last race, is back. Xabi Fernández, who, alongside Iker Martínez, led the Spanish boat last edition, is back for his fifth consecutive race – and with one focus: to win the Volvo Ocean Race trophy for the first time in Spain’s history.

Vestas, another major title sponsor that has returned for a second consecutive race, will be led by American duo Charlie Enright and Mark Towill. The pair are eyeing glory on the race track, and have a key objective off it – to raise awareness around the issue of ocean health, particularly around marine debris.

2017-18 is only the second time in the event’s 44-year history that three major title sponsors have returned for a second consecutive race. With more teams on the way, VOR 2017-2018 will become the event that is for sure to stay in the history as one of the most extreme and challenging editions ever!

Race Village

The Race Village of VOR Guangzhou Stopover is located at Nansha Marina, @ Lat: 22⁰46′51″ N  Long: 113⁰35′50″ E. Nansha Marina enjoys a superb geographical position in the center of the Pearl River Delta, in close proximity to Hong Kong and Macau, and can boast a developed infrastructure and complete transportation network. Just within 1 hour drive there are 5 international airports available, including those of Guangzhou, Shenzhen and HK.  

Nansha Marina is the first marina in Mainland China to have achieved prestigious 5 Gold Anchors Award rating by TYHA (The Yacht Harbour Association, UK), and all its facilities (including marina hardware, software) and the level of management team are up to the top international standards. Nansha Marina is the founder of Yacht CN brand, and the permanent Organizer of Yacht CN-Nansha Bay International Boat Show (known as Yacht CN Extravaganza since 2016), which attracted tens of thousands of visitors since its inaugural edition in 2012.

We cordially welcome you to join us in Guangzhou Nansha to witness the world’s toughest sailing race together! VOR Guangzhou Stopover is sure to become one-in-a-lifetime experience you don’t want to miss!

For more details, you are welcome to visit VOR 2017-2018 Guangzhou stopover official website www.vor-guangzhou.com

We also cordially invite you to visit our booth—Hall 5W, W5B01, at Shanghai International Boat Show from 26th to 29th April to get the latest updates and more information on the race.

By Nansha Marina

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