Sanya Bid for Volvo Ocean Race

An inspiring news was confirmed yesterday at Governor Luo's meeting with CEO of Volvo Events Management Company (UK) that Sanya City, Hainan Province, will bid to host Volvo Ocean Race 2011/2012 (China Leg).

Volvo Ocean Race, one of the world's top events, was founded in September 1973 by the British Royal Navy Sailing Association. The event was held every four years with 36-year history so far. Volvo Events Management Company bought the right to host the event since 1996. It’s renowned as the "Everest” in ocean race due to its long distance, difficulties, and dangers. Until now, only Qingdao has hosted the event in China.

Li Bai-Qing, vice mayor of Sanya City, revealed that Volvo Ocean Race 2011/2012 will set up only one stopover port in Asia. Presently, several domestic cities including Sanya are interested in hosting the event, though obviously Sanya has geographical advantages over others, as its picturesque scenery, water temperature, and wind power are all suitable for the competition. Moreover, Sanya has abundant experience in holding a variety of international culture & sports events, which explains that the General Administration of State Sports agreed to Sanya's bid for the Volvo Ocean Race 2011/2012 (China Leg) earlier in June.

Currently Sanya has no ready stopover port for such event, yet Sanya municipal government has already reached an agreement with a large company whereby this company, as an event sponsor, will invest 300 million yuan to build such a port for the event. World-class port designers will be invited to help guide the construction of the 300-berth port, scheduled to be completed within 26 months.

Li Bai-Qing said that if the bid is successful, in February 2012 there will be hundreds of medias, event sponsors, and tens of thousands of European and American sailing enthusiasts gathering in Sanya and staying for at least a month, which will greatly help in building an international tourist island, enhance the popularity and reputation of Sanya, and generate considerable economic returns.