The Volvo Ocean Race "will be stopping in Hong Kong for the first time in 2018," according to the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST.
The Royal Hong Kong Yacht club "confirmed the news at a press conference."
The '17-18 edition "of the grueling, round-the-world race, seen by many as sailing’s toughest challenge, will start from Alicante, Spain in autumn 2017."
The fleet "will be set to arrive in Victoria Harbour in February 2018." Organizers said that it "is the first time Hong Kong will host an international sailing event of this scale." Hong Kong Sailing Federation council member and RHYC rear commodore Anthony Day said, "Ocean racing does not get more exciting or prestigious than the Volvo Ocean Race and the 2018 stopover here will help to secure Hong Kong’s place on the map as an international sailing venue." He added, "The intention is this is just the first of many stopovers in Hong Kong." A race village "will be held on the site of the old Kai Tak airport, with activities and events for supporters and spectators."
An in-port race "will also be held before the fleet departs" (SCMP, 4/13).
