By Catherine A. Dailey.
In just over four months, The Hague will host seven Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) teams during a three day “pit stop,” in the ninth and final leg of a grueling nine month and 38,739 nautical mile (Nm) ocean sailing event covering four oceans and 11 ports on five continents.
The twelfth edition of the Volvo Ocean Race opened in Alicante on October 11, 2014 and is now a little more than two weeks into Leg 4 of an approximate 10,000 Nm journey from Sanya (China) to Auckland, the “City of Sails.”
On June 19, the seven teams, including the Dutch “Team Brunel,” competing in the 2014-2015 Volvo Ocean Race, will sail into the harbor of Scheveningen during the colorful The Hague Volvo Ocean Race Festival (June 18, 19 and 20).
The announcement was made at the Worldhotel Bel Air earlier this month at a press conference held on Sunday, February 8. Special guest, Mr. Roy Heiner, an engineer, life long sailor and three times Volvo Ocean Race competitor briefly explained the race to invited guests and members of the press.
Heiner served as Technical Director aboard the winning “Team ABN AMRO” in the 2005-2006 Volvo Ocean Race and, since 1996, has directed “Team Heiner”, his sailing academy and “water sports” event organization based in Lelystad. Describing the race as the “Mt Everest” of sailing, Heiner further remarked that the Volvo Ocean Race is important as a source of inspiration for young people, whom, it is hoped, will develop an interest in sailing and the world of competitive water sports. Brunel, sponsor of the Dutch race team “Team Brunel,” is presenting the event.
The Worldhotel Bel Air is the official and preferred hotel partner during the event. Following the press conference, guests were treated to a Chinese inspired brunch in recognition of the February 8 start of Leg 4, Sanya to Auckland.
The Worldhotel Bel Air is providing accommodation to most of the members of the seven teams in the 2014-2015 VOR campaign before their final race to the finish in Gothenborg, Sweden.
“Sensational” is the only word to describe the announcement of the Volvo Ocean Race Festival The Hague. Karsten Klein, the city’s “Wethouder SEZH” (city economy, care and harbors) also spoke briefly at the press conference. His efforts, on behalf of the city, have been instrumental in welcoming the VOR teams to The Hague.
Klein, Frans Sluyters, the “founding father of the North Sea Regatta” and the team at Stichting North Sea Regatta, together with many other volunteers have been working closely with Brunel and the VOR management, to host the world’s most prestigious sailing event in our “international city on the sea” this June.
Diplomat Magazine readers are invited to follow the event by reviewing the three day program of events now posted at Brunel’s “Volvo Ocean Race Festival Den Haag” official website (www.oceanracefestivaldenhaag.com). The event is open to the public and most day activities are free of charge. Tickets for the evening concerts programs are on sale now and may be ordered in advanced via the event website.
It is a unique opportunity to experience a premier sail event and the festival will feature a sail simulator, dive tank, catamaran demos, kids academy, and much more. Some 100,000 visitors are expected to attend.
The Hr. Ms. Groningen, the Royal Dutch Navy’s SAR (search and rescue) and patrol ship will be in port and open to the public for visitation during the event.
16 nationalities are represented among the seven teams, including Dutch men and a woman on at least three boats. For the second time, an all women team will be among the teams competing.
A link to the official website for each of the seven teams can be found on the “Teams” page of the Volvo Ocean Race website (www.volvooceanrace.com).
A brilliant promotional film clip titled, “Ready to Race” produced for Team SCA, the all women team and posted on YouTube is especially inspiring. Readers may also enjoy watching the various virtual 360° tours of the new one design “Volvo Ocean 65” boat, by Farr Yacht Design, used for the first time in the 2014-2015 race, which can be viewed on Team SCA’s official and highly informative website.
Don’t miss the clever promotional film clip titled, “Just Another Day At The Office” (YouTube) to get in the ocean race spirit!
