Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) fleet, the seven contending yachts in the epic, nine-month, round-the-world, challenge, is officially on its way to Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Following Cape Town’s successful first leg stopover, Abu Dhabi will host the second stopover from the middle of next month until January 3, 2015, when major celebrations, including sailing and water sports activities, concerts and entertainment will be served up in a purpose-built Destination Village on the city’s Corniche.

Patricia De Lille, the Mayor of Cape Town, handed over the reins of the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) Stopover to Mubarak Al Nuaimi, director promotions and overseas offices, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).

“The Stopover activities will make for a celebratory end to this year and an exciting and active start to the next – it is an ideal time to see the UAE capital at its best and at a time of year when we experience our most ambient temperatures.”

Following a tough 6,125 nautical mile Leg two race, which will see the fleet traverse three oceans, the competing yachts and their teams will arrive in Abu Dhabi in mid-December and will leave for Sanya in China on January 3. - TradeArabia News Service