ABU DHABI GETS ‘LIFE AT THE EXTREME’

Volvo Ocean Race Activity Centre Set For UAE Capital’s Destination Village  

Volvo Ocean Race is to bring its ‘Life at the Extreme’ activity centre to the UAE capital this New Year, as part of the huge two-week activation planned around the hosting of the spectacular Volvo Ocean Race 2011/12 yachting fleet and its many thousands of fans.  

Running daily at the purpose-built Destination Village, which will host a wealth of free activities to celebrate the race from December 31st 2011 – 14th January 2012 on Abu Dhabi’s stunning Corniche, ‘Life at the Extreme’ includes rides and entertainment that allow fans to experience first-hand this ‘Everest of Sailing’.  

Top attractions coming include The Ride, a state-of-the-art simulator that gives the feeling of being onboard a Volvo Open 70 yacht at speed in extreme conditions whilst being bombarded by strong winds and spray; The Dome, a 40 person interactive 3D cinema; The Grinding Challenge, where you can pit your strength against your friends on the pedestal grinders which the crews use onboard Volvo Open 70s; and Air Balls, which gives kids the chance to ‘run’ on water.   

Abu Dhabi’s Destination Village – as big as eight football pitches and free to the public - will be the focal point for the UAE capital as it welcomes the procession of awe-inspiring racing yachts, sea hardened sailors and more than 100,000 fans for the third leg stopover of the gruelling round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race.  

Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which is behind the emirate’s involvement in the race, is also progressing a fully-packed entertainment programme for the  stopover, including exhibitions, shows,   simulators, hospitality, game zones, restaurants and cafes, sailing academies shops and concerts.  

ADTA is working closely with a number of governmental and commercial bodies to successfully stage the Middle East’s first hosting of the Volvo Ocean Race, including Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club, the Official Host Yacht Club and key partner in the roll-out of the stopover and the junior sailing initiatives; and the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club, the Technical Headquarters, which will be home to the team areas, media centre, photographer centre and the international television broadcast compound.  

The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort – the iconic luxurious brand’s first Middle East property in Abu Dhabi opening on November 1st, 2011 – is the Volvo Ocean Race Official Hotel in the emirate.