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Alicante officially opens the Volvo Ocean Race headquarters
The city of Alicante has been confirmed as the port of departure for the next three editions of the Volvo Ocean Race, the round-the-world regatta, for the years 2011, 2014 and 2017. The President of the Valencian Regional Government, Francisco Camps, officially opened the new administrative headquarters for the race in the capital of Alicante province and signed the contract for the port of Alicante to host the departure of the next three editions of this transoceanic race, making official the agreement reached in Boston in May 2009 for the Volvo Ocean Race to remain in the Region of Valencia.
The setting up of the Volvo Ocean Race headquarters and the designation of Alicante as the port of departure for the next three editions have positioned Alicante as the world capital for sailing and the Region of Valencia as the ideal setting for the organisation of major sporting events.
This milestone will generate major benefits and create employment in the city of Alicante and the Region of Valencia, bearing in mind the figures registered for the departure of the last edition of the competition from the port of Alicante.
The last edition, "Alicante 2008-2009 Round-the-World Race" generated direct income of close to 90 million euros, over 1,500 direct and indirect jobs, and a media impact valued at 180 million euros.
So, the agreement signed to host the next three race departures guarantees years of investment and projection for the city and province of Alicante all over the world, whilst at the same time attracting regatta sailors, sponsors, boat construction companies and constant promotion for the city and for the Region of Valencia, among other things.
Region of Valencia, the setting for major events
The organisation of the race departure, therefore, entails a specific promotion project that highlights the Region of Valencia's organisational capacity to host major sporting events. This is confirmed by the success achieved in the organisation of other competitions this year, such as the Formula 1 European Grand Prix, held on 27th June, and the 33rd America's Cup, which took place last February.
Furthermore, the dates of two important events that will bring together the world's best golf and tennis players have also been confirmed. From 21st to 24th October, the Mediterráneo Country Club in Borriol (Castellón) will be hosting the Castelló Masters Costa Azahar and, from 30th October to 7th November, the world's top tennis players will be competing to claim victory at the second edition of the Valencia Open 500.
Source:
Valencian Regional Government
Images: Rick Tomlinson/ Volvo Ocean
Race
