Volvo Ocean Race takes over Downtown Miami Race Village May 6th

The globally recognized extreme sailing race around the world, Volvo Ocean Race is narrowing in on Miami. The worldwide sporting event will arrive in Miami, May 6^th, for the only North American stopover.  After traveling from Itajai, Brazil and a journey that has consisted since November of monsoon like conditions and eating only freeze dried foods, sailors will be able to take in the beauty and culture of South Florida. The race features 6 –70 foot sailing yachts which are all expected to parade through the waterways of the Port of Miami to their destination at the Downtown Miami Race Village in Bicentennial Park. The teams in the 2011-2012 Volvo Ocean Race are PUMA Ocean Racing powered by Berg, Groupama, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, Team Sanya, Team Telefónica, and Camper with Emirates Team New Zealand.

Miami will host the first ever 14-day festival filled with cultural arts, music, food and interactivity. Over 200,000 attendees are expected from May 6^th-20^th for this global “Super Bowl” sailing event.

 

The events at Bicentennial Park include: Paddle boarding with PUMA, The Academy and Try Sailing Experience, Youth Opti-National Championships; a cardboard canoe race; Antique & Classic Auto and Boat Show; the largest Miami Beach cleanup with Volvo North America, Puma and the local community; VIP opportunities; Live music performances; Special Mother’s Day festivities on May 13^th; In Port Race, Pro-Am Race; meet and greet with the teams; food; drinks; and arts- to name a few.

The only 501 (c) 3 stopover, Volvo Ocean Race Miami has developed a legacy showcase whose mission is to foster collaboration amongst non-profit organizations with similar missions of surrounding water and marine life conservation initiatives.  To promote this legacy Volvo Ocean Race in Miami has partnered with the Big Blue & You to provide an educational experience for children in South Florida who visit the race village on pre-determined dates. The Miami-Dade Public Schools and select private schools have decided to help facilitate the organization of local students to visit the site as planned field trips. The legacy’s main goal will be to inspire participating youth to understand the importance of water (both fresh and salt) in our daily lives and how they can be involved in protecting this precious resource. Other contributing foundations include, Shake-A-Leg, Biscayne Nature Center, The Reclamation Project, ECOMB, UM/RSMAS and Fertile Earth Foundation to name a few.

Volvo Ocean Race Downtown Miami Race Village will take place May 6-20 in Bicentennial Park.

About Volvo Ocean Race: Downtown Miami Race Village:

The Volvo Ocean Race Downtown Miami Race Village is a large scale production and 14-day event taking place in Bicentennial Park. Spanning over 27 acres overlooking the bay, the village will provide tourists and the local South Florida community a place to “Sea and be Seen” with an international and interactive race village that will showcase cultural arts, music entertainment, food, and more. Over 200,000 attendees are expected from May 6-20, as Miami is the only North American stopover of this global sailing event. With a rich history of sailing in the South Florida community and home to the U.S. Sailing Center, the Volvo Ocean Race committee was confident that the City of Miami would be the ideal North American stopover. Downtown Miami Village will consist of sailing and extreme water sports activities, educational programs for children of all ages, interactive pavilions, a 3-D Marine Cinema featuring the global race, music entertainment and wrap-around events.  During the 14-day stopover the 6 professional race teams will gather points during the In-Port Race that counts toward the overall leader board and a Pro-Am race putting sponsors with the professionals.  In addition, the festival will feature wakeboarding, water sports exhibitions, community cardboard canoe race, a classic steamboat race, Optimist Class Nationals, food, drinks, a Gala and more.

For information on Volvo Ocean Race Miami or the Downtown Miami Village, please visit www.volvooceanracemiami.org .