Volvo Ocean Race 2008

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Volvo Ocean Race 2008

The best sailors in the world set off from Alicante for the Volvo Ocean Race

In 2008, the Region of Valencia is hosting the start of the Volvo Ocean Race. The round-the-world sailing competition will set off from Alicante on the 11th of October 2008, and before that, on the 4th October, the preceding regatta known as the In port race will also be held in waters off the coast of Alicante.

The 10th edition (2008/2009) of this round-the-world race, in which only the best sailors dare to pit their skills against such extreme conditions, will be setting off from the Mediterranean for the first time. Alicante will be hosting one of the most important legs of the race, along with the finish. China, Saudi Arabia, Ireland and Russia have also been included for the first time on this year's route, which stops at 11 countries.

For this event, the Regional Government has created the Village Alicante 2008-2009, a public enclosure covering an area of 40,000 square metres by the port of Alicante, which will open its doors between the 19th of September and the 11th of October, offering citizens and visitors an intense and attractive programme of events and activities for the whole family.

During this period, Alicante will be the world capital of sailing, the focus of national and international media and the very best sailors in the world.