Volvo Ocean Race, Kochi - Grand Finale

Cochin, 12th December 2008

 The 10-day long grandeur of the first ever India Stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race  is coming to a close on 13th December, 2008 with the departure ceremonies. The spectacular show of the Stopover  at Cochin was marked with the showcasing of Indian and specifically Kerala culture of arts, music and tradition, drawing record crowds, that Cochin witnessed in recent years. Nearly a million people visited the Stopover village during the 15 day period and treated themselves to feast of exhibits, besides the competition yachts.     Even the rains did  not dampen the spirit of the enthusiasm of the swelling crowds. Among the nearly 100 stalls  in the exhibition pavilion like that of the Indian Space Research Organisations’ Chandrayan, the indigenous ecotourism villages of Anakkara and Kumbalangi, Augur India(where crockeries were sold), handicrafts stall of Kudumbasree and the Picture museum remained  heavily crowded. Long queues were always there at the stall where the simulated Race experience,  at the facility put up by the Volvo Race organizers. Stalls in the Food carnival were always overflowing with customers rushing for the variety of cuisine to satisfy even the connoisseur.  Like a bejeweled bride, the all Port Trust buildings were decked up with dazzling illumination and the roads and premises done up in record time to host the Stopover and reflected the festive atmosphere. Cultural programmes like the Mini Pooram, Musical and dance performances including folk items won the applauses of the large number of spectators.

 The competing yachts begin their third leg of sailing from Cochin to Singapore, the next Stopover of the Race, with the flagging off by Smt. Ambika Soni, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture and by Shri Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Minister for Tourism, Government of Kerala on 13th Dec 2008. The Skippers’ Parade along the dock, prior to the flagging off will be held at 11.30 AM  and the Flag off of the Parade  of yachts in the backwaters of Cochin, (in the Mattanchery and Ernakulam channels )will be held at 12 noon.

The closing function of the Stopover, the second leg of the Volvo Ocean Race at the Cochin Port will begin at 11.00. The function will be presided over by Shri Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Minister for Tourism, after the welcome address by Shri N. Ramachandran, Chairman, Cochin Port trust.

The felicitation address will be delivered by Shri Oommen Chandy, Leader of Opposition, Kerala Legislative Assembly. Smt. Ambika Soni will announce the Tourism Infrastructure Development Programmes in Willingdon Island in her address.

The function will also mark the flagging off of the he Cochin to Kavaratti Offshore Race,  organized by the yachting Association of India, by Shri Oommen chandy, Leader of opposition, Kerala legislative assembly, Shri M. Vijayakumar, Minister for Ports and Sports  and Shri S. Sharma , Minister for Fisheries ,Kerala, and Shri Binoy Viswom, Hon’ble Minister for Forests.  The Vote of thanks will be delivered by Dr. V. Venu, Secretary Tourism, Govt. Of Kerala.

The fleet will be blessed at a multi religious event at 11:30 AM.

The public entry to the Race Village will start at 9:30 AM and close at  2:30 PM.  The parade of the Racing Yachts and Leg Start can also  be seen from Ernakulam, Mattancherry, Fortcochin, Vypeen and Bolghatty Islands from 12 Noon to 2 PM.