Melbourne set for huge farewell to Volvo fleet

by Kirsty Nicholls on 10 Feb 2006 With just two days to go until the world’s fastest monohull yachts wave goodbye to Melbourne, Waterfront City at Docklands is gearing up for a huge weekend of farewell celebrations for the Volvo Ocean Race.

Teams and crews are making their final preparations on the Volvo Open 70 yachts and taking their last opportunity to train on Port Phillip Bay before Sunday’s start of leg three bound for Wellington of the 31,250 nautical mile around the world race.

Over 250,000 people have visited the Waterfront City precinct since the Volvo Ocean Race sailed into Melbourne on January 21, and thousands more are expected to enjoy this weekend’s celebrations.

‘It’s been a huge success,’ said Melbourne Stopover event project manager, Peter Danks.

‘It will be the grand finale this weekend and we are expecting people to be out in force to wish the Volvo Ocean Race crews good luck as they re-start this amazing race around the world.

‘It’s the last chance to see the Formula One of the ocean racing world, but also a great opportunity to enjoy the music, wine and entertainment on offer at Waterfront City.

‘It will be a fantastic weekend – both on water and on land.’

Melbourne local and navigator aboard movistar, Andrew Cape said ‘it will be hard to leave.’

‘It’s been way too short, but have to get on with the job,’ Cape said.

‘I live eat and breathe the Volvo Ocean Race, but I’ve still managed to enjoy the great atmosphere here. It’s always hard to leave somewhere nice knowing it’s going to get colder! Especially when it’s your home town.’

This weekend, Victoria’s biggest cellar door will stretch along the dock at Waterfront City with Wine at Waterfront - the third and final of Melbourne Food and Wine on the Water’s events at the Melbourne Stopover.

Open from 11am to 5pm at the Waterfront City piazza on Saturday and Sunday, visitors can stroll along the waterfront and gaze at the spectacular yachts while tasting from a huge range of Victorian wines.

Sailing and boating lovers can check out the craft on display at the NewQuay Marina Summer Boat Show, supported by Club Marine, with everything from power boats to jet skis on the menu.

Victoria Harbour will be awash with activities, including free Go Sailing opportunities, the Tasar Victorian Short Course championships and Naval ship displays.

Live music will provide the perfect summer atmosphere for a relaxing afternoon in the Waterfront City Race Village, before the evening’s festivities heat up.

On Saturday night, salsa and samba will rule from 7pm with a fantastic Brazilian Carnivale, before Rogue Traders, led by Neighbours star Natalie Bassingthwaighte, hit the stage for a free concert from 9.30pm.

A spectacular fireworks display over the water will cap off the evening at 10.30pm.

Sunday is departure day for the Volvo Ocean Race and emotions will be running high in the teams, and their families, as they prepare to face life at the extreme again.

Waterfront City marina will be the place to capture the excitement of the Volvo Ocean Race, with the traditional blessing of the fleet from 9.30am, followed by the national anthem.

The yachts will begin leaving their home away from home from 10am as they ‘duck’ under the Bolte Bridge one last time to make their way to the start line off Station Pier, Port Melbourne.

Hundreds of boats are expected to follow the fleet as it hits full racing mode at 1pm when the starting canon is fired from the historic tall ship Enterprize.

Images of Melbourne’s bayside beaches and beautiful Port Phillip Bay will be beamed world-wide as the yachts jostle for position at the start of the race.

‘The Volvo Ocean Race has been a great opportunity to showcase Port Phillip Bay and our world-class recreational boating opportunities to the world,’ said Parks Victoria Manager - Major Waterways Events, Rocky Barca.

Spectators on the Port Melbourne to Elwood foreshores will be able to see the race start action, while Mornington and the Sorrento to Portsea foreshores will also be prime vantage points as the yachts speed towards the Port Phillip Heads.

Fans can follow the leg three, start action with live commentary on www.volvooceanrace.org, while Channel 10 show weekly highlights packages at 11.30pm each Monday night.