One of the highlights of the international yachting calendar, the Volvo Ocean Race, will head to Singapore in January.

The nine-month long race will pass the coast of the south-east Asian destination between January 9th and 18th.

This is the first time in the 34-year history of the yachting event that the race route has included a leg in south-east Asia.

As a result, organisers expect a huge turnout from fans over the ten-days it takes for the sailors to pass Singapore.

The Singapore stopover of the race has been sponsored by UBS with the main action taking place at the One 15 Marina Club.

Low Teo Ping, president of the Singapore Sailing Federation and vice president of the International Sailing Federation, said it is apt that the race is coming to Singapore.

"Our ancestors were great sailors and it is only appropriate that sailing is now increasingly becoming a pastime of choice for many Singaporeans," he explained.

"Singapore is fast gaining a reputation as an international sailing hub and an exciting lifestyle destination."

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06/11/2008