Volvo Ocean Race- Official briefings on benefits of Auckland Stopovers

by Sail-World on 1 Feb 2013
Following are three media statements relating to the announcement of the two-edition Volvo Ocean Race stopovers in Auckland. They are re-published not so much for their news significance, but for the statistics regarding the value of the New Zealand Marine Industry, developed largely over the past 30 years, off the back of New Zealand's involvement in the America's Cup and Volvo Ocean Race


Media Statement from Volvo Ocean Race

The city of Auckland in New Zealand will again play host to sailing's greatest adventure after winning selection as a Host Port in the Volvo Ocean Race for both the 12th edition in 2014-15 and the 13th.

Auckland, a world renowned sailing capital, returned to the race route for the first time in 10 years in 2011-12 and staged a spectacular stopover at Auckland Viaduct, with spectators packing the Race Village and the Waitemata Harbour. Results released by Google showed Volvo Ocean Race was the second most searched term in New Zealand in 2012, showing just how the event caught the imagination of the people.

Once again, the 2014-15 route will see Auckland play host to the start of the main Southern Ocean leg, sending the teams on their way around Cape Horn and on to the leg finish in Itajaí in Brazil. The dates of the stopover will be revealed next month.

'Sailing into Auckland after a 10-year gap felt like the race was coming home,' said Volvo Ocean Race CEO Knut Frostad. 'Tens of thousands of passionate fans packed the Race Village each day, and the crowds for all the arrivals plus the In-Port Race and Leg Start were among the best we've ever had.

'Auckland people know sailing and know the race. As soon as we arrived it was clear that we'd been away from this stunning city too long and it's hugely satisfying to be able to say that we're coming back straight away this time. Having an agreement in place for the next two editions is just the icing on the cake.'

This will be the ninth time the race has stopped at Auckland, which is known as the City of Sails for its affinity with the sea.
Auckland Mayor Len Brown said: 'This is an exciting win for Auckland. New Zealand’s fabled sailing heritage, and the affinity Aucklanders have with the sea which surrounds us, makes this city the perfect Volvo Ocean Race destination.

'My goal is for Auckland to become the world’s most liveable city. A key component of us meeting that goal, and delivering on our ambitious economic transformation objectives, is to play host to major events such as the next two Volvo Ocean Races.'

Auckland is the fourth Host Port for 2014-15 announced so far, following the start point of Alicante and the two Brazilian ports of Recife and Itajaí. The rest of the route for 2014-15 will be revealed over the coming weeks.

From ATEED: Volvo Ocean Race to set sail for Auckland again

The Waitemata Harbour will again host the world’s elite adventure yacht racing crews, with confirmation today that Auckland has won a coveted stopover role for the next two Volvo Ocean Races.

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), on behalf of Auckland Council, led a bid to host both the 2014-15 and 2017-18 races, following a hugely successful stopover in last year’s race which saw the inner Waitemata lined with spectators on water and land, and helped Auckland to the silver medal at the prestigious Sport City Awards in 2012.

The event will see crews and support teams sail into Auckland for 15 days during each round-the- world race.
Auckland Mayor Len Brown says: 'This is an exciting win for Auckland. New Zealand’s fabled sailing heritage, and the affinity Aucklanders have with the sea which surrounds us, makes this city the perfect Volvo Ocean Race destination.
'My goal is for Auckland to become the world’s most liveable city. A key component of us meeting that goal, and delivering on our ambitious economic transformation objectives, is to play host to major events such as the next two Volvo Ocean Races.'

ATEED will invest $5.5 million from its Major Events Fund into hosting the two races, which an independent consultancy expects to inject $7.49 million to the Auckland region’s GDP.

Jennah Wootten, ATEED General Manager Destination (acting), says today’s announcement is a fantastic way to start 2013’s major events programme.

'This was an extremely competitive bid process, with an ever-expanding list of rival countries trying to host the Volvo Ocean Race. Auckland winning the right to be a stopover for the next two races reflects ATEED’s growing global reputation for delivering major international events.'

She says the stopovers are expected to generate about 18,000 new visitor nights for the region, and significant international media coverage.

'Hosting important international sporting events is a key economic growth driver, and this is another important win to add to Auckland’s portfolio alongside other globally renowned events such as the 2017 World Masters Games and the IRB Junior World Championships 2014.

'Google statistics for New Zealand last year showed Volvo Ocean Race was the second highest trending search, which clearly indicates the level of interest and support here for what is one of the world’s great sporting adventures.

'The city has shown it has the infrastructure, particularly in terms of waterfront facilities, to successfully host the world’s most important sailing events.'

Team New Zealand entered the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 on board Camper, and it is hoped there will again be a Kiwi challenge for the next event.

NZ Government t to support 2015 & 2018 Volvo Ocean Race Auckland Stopovers

The Major Events Development Fund will invest $1.5 million on each of two Volvo Ocean Race Auckland stopovers to be held in 2015 and 2018 following an announcement today by Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce.

The funding will assist with event delivery and to leverage a broad range of immediate and longer-term benefits from the stop-overs.

'These events provide a platform to leverage benefits for New Zealand, particularly for New Zealand’s marine sector. The marine industry has $1 .7 billion in annual turnover, produces $650 million in exports each year and employs 9,000 full time staff. The Volvo Ocean Race stopovers provide a great opportunity to showcase this sector’s expertise internationally,' Mr Joyce says.

'Economic impact figures show that the 2015 and 2018 stopovers will provide a GDP impact to New Zealand of approximately $7.4 million respectively and attract 1,880 international visitors each year.'

The Government invested $1.5 million in the 2012 Volvo Ocean Race Auckland stopover and the new investment will cumulatively build on the benefits generated by the 2012 event.

'The economic impact figures for the 2012 Stopover showed it generated an additional $6.3 million to New Zealand’s GDP and attracted 1,681 international visitors,' Mr Joyce says.

'Around 275,000 spectators visited the race village in 2012. Exhibitors in an associated New Zealand Marine Showcase noted crucial relationships and sales leads were formed with international clients, including race syndicates, during the stopover.'

The Volvo Ocean Race is a round-the-world yacht race held every three years. It spans a nine month period which includes a number of stopovers at international ports to allow for boat maintenance and rest time for the crews.
It is anticipated that Auckland will host 1 5 day stopovers in early 2015 and 2018.

Hon Steven Joyce
Minister for Economic Development
29 January 2013