Volvo Ocean Race: Auckland Stopover News 4 - Showcase sells out!

11:02 AM Tue 4 Oct 2011 GMT

'CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand arrives in to Palma, Spain, ahead of the start of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12.' Volvo Ocean Race &copy Click Here to view large photo

Issue 4

4 October 2011

With just weeks to go before the start of the 2011/12 Volvo Ocean Race, our fourth edition of the Auckland Stopover's e-newsletter Event HQ brings you the latest news from the Race Village.

The 2011/12 Volvo Ocean Race

The Race starts in Alicante (Spain) on 29 October and features nine Legs with Stopovers in Cape Town (South Africa), Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), Sanya (China), Auckland (New Zealand), Itajai (Brazil), Miami (USA), Lisbon (Portugal) and Lorient (France) with the finish in Galway (Ireland) in July 2012.

Six teams have entered the Race, including CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand.

CAMPER arrives in Alicante

Emirates Team New Zealand entry CAMPER has arrived at the Race HQ in Alicante for final preparations before the start of the race.

Since launch back in April, the crew has sailed more than 10,800 nm together and skipper Chris Nicholson says the boat and crew are ready to race. "We could start this afternoon," he said on arrival in Alicante.

Read the full story here

Alicante programme announced

The final countdown to the 2011/12 Volvo Ocean Race begins in Alicante on 14 October with a three week period of entertainment, the Legends Regatta and a chance to try sailing.

Full details here

The Auckland Stopover

The Volvo Ocean Race fleet is due to arrive in Auckland at the end of Leg 4 from Sanya (China) on Thursday 8 March 2012. The Pro-Am Race is on Friday 16 March and the In-Port Race on Saturday 17 March. The Start of Leg 5 will take place on Sunday 18 March.

View the Race Village

Get a sneak preview of the the Auckland Stopover with our 3D flyover video and see how Auckland's Viaduct Harbour will be transformed next March into the Race Village.

Watch it here

Website

Keep up to date with all the news from the Auckland Stopover on our new website www.volvooceanraceauckland.com We are on Facebook and Twitter too.

Showcase sells out!

Uploaded Image The inaugural NZ Marine Export Showcase has sold out.

The Showcase, running throughout the ten days of the Auckland Stopover, is designed to offer New Zealand's leading marine industry innovators and suppliers a unique opportunity to exhibit products and information to the 200,000+ expected visitors and to build relationships with the international yachting world via access to the Volvo Ocean Race exclusive hospitality facility.

"The Auckland Stopover is bringing the elite of the international yachting world to New Zealand for the first time in a decade," says Kerry Ellis, Head of Venues &amp; Operations for the Stopover. "In recent years, NZ companies have had to work offshore to reach this exclusive market. The Showcase is a one-off opportunity for NZ marine export companies to market their products and services at home in a fantastic setting."

The Showcase will feature just 30 stands on the ground floor of the brand-new world class Viaduct Events Centre, with the Volvo Open 70s fleet moored in Pit Lane as a backdrop. Showcase Exhibitors have access to the exclusive Latitude Lounge on the third floor of the Centre, giving them the chance to mingle with the movers and shakers of the international yachting world as well as offering first class hospitality to key customers and clients.

"Nothing like this has ever been done in New Zealand," says Ellis. "New Zealand Trade &amp; Enterprise and other government departments immediately recognised the huge potential economic benefits of the Showcase and are giving the event great support."

The Auckland Stopover has appointed a Network Manager to liaise with all Exhibitors over the coming months to develop and deliver an individual marketing programme around the Showcase.

"This will include support for international activity at the other Stopovers, communication with international specialist media, setting up factory tours and a wide range of other activities," says Ellis. "One of our key legacy aims is to create lasting benefits for New Zealand's marine industry and we will be providing all the support we can to our Exhibitors."

PM views trophy

Uploaded Image New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key viewed the Volvo Ocean Race trophy at the official opening of the Auckland International Boat Show on 14 September.

Key (right), pictured with Peter Busfield, CEO of the NZ Marine Industry Association, officially opened the event which was held in the Viaduct Harbour - the venue for the Race Village for next year's Auckland Stopover during the 2011/12 Volvo Ocean Race.

Hundreds of high-class power and sail, new and used, private, charter and classic vessels were on display on the specially constructed floating marina. The show spanned both sides of the Viaduct, starting with exhibits on Te Wero island and coming across to the Marine Village where the latest boats, marine engines, electronics and accessories were on display.

Volunteer manager appointed

Ruth Tuiraviravi has been appointed to head up the Volunteer Programme for the Auckland Stopover.

A former NZ national rower and aid worker, Tuiraviravi developed and managed the very successful volunteer programme for the 2010 World Rowing Championships at Lake Karapiro.

"We're delighted to welcome Ruth on board," says Port Director Tom Mayo. "She brings top level expertise in this area and will do a fantastic job for the Auckland Stopover."