KOCHI: Thousands of people, including a large number of foreigners, thronged the Volvo Ocean Race Village in this Kerala port city as the ten-day stopover celebrations got under way last week.
Overseas Indian and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi flagged off the ethnic-flavored celebrations in the specially built race village, which is expected to attract nearly half a million visitors during the stopover.
The racing yachts were taken to the cradles to carry out repairs suffered in the arduous 4,550-mile journey.
Of the eight yachts, race favorite Ericsson 4 arrived here on Saturday and the Russian team skippered by Andreas Hanakamp onboard Kosatka was the last to cross the line here on Wednesday after being at sea for 18 days, 2 hours 3 minutes and 30 seconds.
They were treated to a raucous welcome onshore, as their arrival happened to coincide with the formal opening of the celebrations in the race village. Thousands turned out to cheer the eighth place finisher.
Leg three of 1950 nautical miles from Kochi to Singapore starts on Dec. 23 at 2 p.m.
Overall points scored by the yachts
1. Ericsson 4: 26 points
2. Telefónica Blue: 19
3. PUMA: 18
4. Green Dragon: 16
5. Ericsson 3: 14.5
6. Telefónica Black: 13.5
7. Delta Lloyd: 7.5
8. Team Russia : 7.5
The world’s toughest ocean race described as the Everest of sailing was coming to India for the first time in its long history (three and a half decades) and the Kerala port city is its only stopover in India . The authorities expect it to give much impetus to the state’s tourism industry hit by the global financial mayhem. The race village spread in over two acres of land on Willingdon Island offers free entry to the visitors.
The eight yachts representing seven nations set out from the Spanish port of Alicante, Spain on Oct. 11 for the 10th edition of one of sport’s most grueling and hazardous events. The finishing line in the race of 37,000 nautical miles is in St Petersburg, Russia, where the yachts are expected in June.
The entertainment programs lined up for the stopover celebrations here include fusion music led by chenda maestro Mattannur Sankaran Kutty and violinist Balabhaskar, ‘Soul India’, the music night by renowned singer Hariharan, Naval Band, kathakali, panchavadyam, Gujarati dance, dramas and fireworks.
The brands backing the eight competing yachts are on display in the temporary pavilions in the race village. Volvo’s simulator is a major attraction for the visitors. The interactive VOR Experience comprises of the Ride, the Dome, the Pool and the Grinding Challenge. Indian Navy and Yachting Association of India are also organizing events during the stopover. The Swedish carmaker is also displaying its three special edition luxury models-Volvo V70, Volvo XC70 and Volvo XC90-in ocean blue and electric colors with price band between Rs3.8mn and Rs5.2mn. Clews, sails, waves and zigzag stitches in the interiors are some of the marine details that inspired VOR edition cars.
Kochi has already the status of India ‘s most favored destination for cruise lines luxury yachts. It had the highest number of cruise vessels in the country with 43 vessels calling during 2007-2008. The houseboat village where Kettuvalloms or Kerala houseboats are parked on the picturesque Bolgatty Island close to where the Volvo racing fleet is anchored provides some 125 rooms for those who want to stay in a room with a view.
