Hong Kong Looms Large

Hong Kong has moved a step closer to becoming a port of call for 2008-09 following a round of meetings this week between Volvo Ocean Race organisers and government representatives.

The latest development follows the recent confirmation of Qingdao as an Asian stopover.

The race’s commercial director George Blake said negotiations were at an advanced stage. “We had positive discussions with the Home Affairs Bureau and things are moving in the right direction,” he said. “We have the Hong Kong government’s endorsement, now it depends on the response we get from the corporate community.”

Blake added that West Kowloon was among a number of options being assessed as possible venues and an in-port race could be staged in Victoria Harbour.