Alicante takes the spotlight with yachting extravaganza

Sailing enthusiasts from around the world are already gathering in Alicante as the countdown to the 10th edition of the Volvo Ocean Race begins. The world’s premier offshore yachting event will set off from Alicante on 11 October - the first time this prestigious race starts from a Mediterranean port.

This will be the longest , most challenging Volvo Ocean Race ever, with eight teams (including the Irish Green Team) competing in a 39,000-mile race around the world, which will take in Cape Town, Kochi , Singapore, Quingdao, Rio de Janeiro, Galway, Goteborg, Stockholm before finishing in St Petersburg in July 2009.

Between now and the start of the race, visitors to Alicante can enjoy a full programme of free events including music, children’s activities, sports events and much more, at The Village, a special 40,000 square-metre purpose-built area by the port. The Village at Alicante’s Port is the largest ever in the history of the Volvo Ocean Race, with shops, restaurants, and the team bases including a special area where the competing yachts are exhibited to the public.

Kids will be kept entertained at the “Alicante Junior Adventure”, a special educational programme to teach them the basics of sailing, whereas adults can enjoy concerts by international artists such as Brian Adams and UB40, who will perform at TheVillage on 10 October. Another main attraction is the replica of the Nao Victoria, the historic ship in which Juan Sebastian Elcano completed the first ever world circumnavigation .

Visitors will also be able to enjoy the spectacle of fleet racing in the waters around the port of Alicante at the first in-port race on 4 October, as well as other regattas before the race proper starts. For more information and a full calendar of events go to Alicante2008.com.

Alicante, in the Spanish Region of Valencia, is an ideal short break destination offering a perfect combination of sandy beaches and city attractions. Visitors can enjoy a range of museums and historic monuments, shopping, great restaurants and nightlife, plus a mild climate all year round. From Alicante, the popular beach resorts of the Costa Blanca such as Altea, Javea and Benidorm, with its excellent offer of theme parks and other attractions for the whole family, are all within easy reach.

For further information on what to see and do in Alicante and in the rest of the Region of Valencia go to Comunitatvalenciana.com.