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For immediate release: 28 February 2012

Global Party in the Viaduct

There's a Global Party lined up for the Race Village in the Viaduct during the Auckland Stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race.

A rolling programme of entertainment for twelve hours each day - from 9am to 9pm - has been put together for the Stopover which runs from 8 - 18 March. And it's all free.

The days are being themed around the home nations of the participating yachts (that's China, France, New Zealand, Spain, United Arab Emirates and the USA), the next Stopover (Brazil) and the Finish (Ireland), which will be celebrated on St Patrick's Day.

"It's a fantastic theme," says Port Director Tom Mayo. "There's a great variety of acts - bands, dancers, singers and entertainers - something to appeal to everyone. We've also put together King Neptune's Trail, a parade with great appeal to families, which will run daily at 6pm from 10 March."

On St Patrick's Day (Saturday 17 March), the traditional Auckland Parade will reverse its route to start off Queen Street and finish in the Viaduct. The Village will go green for the day with Sharron Shannon heading a top line-up of Irish entertainment.

The Race Village also features the Volvo Experience which is packed with interactive activities for visitors to try including the Race Simulator, the Grinding Challenge and Air Balls on water. There's a chance to Try Sailing with the Volvo Academy or paddle boarding with PUMA. Little ones can drive miniature Volvo pedal cars, trucks and diggers and jump around the world on a special bouncy castle.

The six competing Volvo Ocean 70s yachts will be moored in Pit Lane, offering visitors to the Race Village the opportunity to take a close look at the world's fastest monohulls. Emirates Team New Zealand's entry CAMPER is scheduled to open the boat to the public on 14 March from 4.30 - 8.30pm.

"We’re delighted to bring one of the world’s biggest yacht races to back to Auckland," says Jennah Wootten, Manager Major Events, Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development. "It's wonderful to be able to offer the Race Village experience to Aucklanders and visitors from other parts of New Zealand and overseas."

Race Village highlights (all free):

The Global Party: 9am -9pm daily on the PUMA Stage, Te Wero Island
The Volvo Experience: The Ride, 3D cinema, Grinder Challenge, Bouncy Castle, Air Balls & Pool, The Dome
Try Sailing: have a go with free instruction and equipment
Pit Lane: get up close to the world's fastest monohulls
Volvo Pavilion: packed with multimedia and interactive displays and games
DHL NZ Marine Export Showcase: the best of NZ marine export products and services
And much, much more.

The Stoneleigh Bar and Peroni Bar will be open from 11am - 9pm daily on Te Wero island and there will be a variety of different eateries in the Village in addition to the many local cafes, bars and restaurants in the Viaduct.

The full programme for each day will be available on www.volvooceanraceauckland.com

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS
• The 2011/12 Volvo Ocean Race started 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.
• The Auckland Stopover runs from 8 – 18 March 2012
8 March tbc: boats scheduled to arrive for finish of Leg 4 from Sanya (China)
16 March: Pro-Am Race
17 March: In-Port Race
18 March: Start of Leg 5 to Itajai (Brazil)
• The last Auckland Stopover was a decade ago, during the 2001/2002 Race. There was a brief 48 hour pitstop in Wellington in 2005/6.
• The 2012 Stopover will be the eighth time the Race has come to Auckland. This is the eleventh edition of the Race which was first held back in 1973/74.
• Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) owns the rights to stage the Volvo Ocean Race Auckland Stopover (VORAS), and is the primary funder of the event.
• Government support for the event has been confirmed, including a grant from the Major Events Development Fund.
• ATEED has appointed Auckland major events company Mayo& to deliver the Stopover on its behalf.
• For more information on the Volvo Ocean Race Auckland Stopover, please visit www.volvooceanraceauckland.com

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