Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) will bring one of the top around-the-world sailing competitions in the world to China in early 2009, announced Wednesday a press conference jointly¹ held by the race organizers and China's yachting governing body.

"As one of the world's most influential² professional sailing events, Volvo Ocean Race has set to raise parts of its competitions in China during the 2008-2009 season, which makes the history on both the race itself and the development of sailing in China," said Wei Di, Director of China Water Sports Administration Center.

Wei Di(L),Director of China Water Sports Administration Center shakes hands with Glenn Bourke, Chief Executive to Volvo Event Management.Volvo Ocean Race will bring one of the top around-the-world sailing competitions to China in early 2009.[Xinhua]

The VOR, established in 1973 as the Whitbread Round the World Race, has introduced significant changes to the race format³ and will visit new ports along a new route that includes stopovers in the middle-east, India and Asia in the 2008-2009 season.

It has transformed from a quadrennial event to a race which will be held once three years, and will historically add two cities of China to its stopovers in the new season.

"Following the Beijing Olympics held in 2008, the arrival of the Volvo Ocean Race will definitely accelerate the development of water sports in China," added Wei, who signed an agreement with the race's organizing company the Volvo Event Management (UK) in Beijing Wednesday to officially announce the launch of VOR in China.

Glenn Bourke, Chief Executive to Volvo Event Management as well as the VOR, also gave plaudits to the cooperation and expressed high expectations on the event's stopovers in China.

"The Race is an event integrating technology, intelligence and perseverance⁴, reflecting the real sports spirit - passion, innovation, adventure and world-class teamwork. We are grateful for China's support in providing us an opportunity to bring the race to this region.

"China is a strong sports country with long coastline and millions of sports fans. We believe the race will heighten the interest and participation in sailing in China and Asia," he said

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