Sanya becomes stopover of 12th Volvo Ocean Race

Sanya, a tropical city of South China's island province of Hainan, has become one stopover of the 12th Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015, the organizing committee said on Friday.

The 12th Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015, which will start sailing from Alicante, a port city in southeast part of Spain, continue crossing Recife in Brazil, then over southern ocean and reach Abu Dhabi before sailing into Sanya, according to the organizing committee.

The sailing route will go to Auckland in New Zealand, then to the port of Itajai in Brazil, then to Lisbon, capital of Portugal after crossing over Atlantic Ocean and finally reach Goteborg, a port city in eastern part of Sweden.

"Sanya is one of the best stopovers from different perspectives, such as great facilities, perfect weather conditions and hospitality, which makes a big success during the past ocean race," said Knute Flores Tad, chief executive officer of Volvo Ocean Race.

"China has successfully made two stopovers and will do better in the future," Knute added.

Sanya is the only stopover in Asia during the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 and also the second city in China to become the stopover of the race following Qingdao, which was the stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009.

Founded in 1973, the Volvo Ocean Race, crossing four oceans and five continents, is the world's premier offshore race.