April 7 marked 50 days to go before the Volvo Ocean Race, the world’s toughest and most prestigious sailing event, which arrives in Cardiff on Sunday May 27 for a two week stopover – and the call is out for local people to get involved in this global sporting occasion.
The danger of the challenge involved in the Race was brought into sharp focus last week when crew member John Fisher was lost overboard in the treacherous Southern Ocean on the fleet’s journey between New Zealand and Brazil. The tragedy received global attention, but the Race goes on, and in just seven weeks it will cross the Atlantic from Newport, Rhode Island to arrive in Cardiff where visitors from around the world will get a chance to get up close to the fleet, and to discover more about Cardiff.Volunteers are now being recruited to support the event, so anyone interested can visit – www.thesportshub-cardiff.com or call 02920 205283.
Cardiff has been blessed with major international sporting events in recent years – UEFA Champions League Final; Rugby World Cup; London 2012 Olympics for example, and the people of Wales have always responded magnificently to the demand for volunteers to help make the visitor experience memorable, and fruitful for the local economy.
500 volunteers are needed to work on the Volvo Ocean Race when it stops over in Cardiff between May 27 and June 10 after its transatlantic crossing. Already signed up is Cardiff resident Hilary Coulson, a 66 year old retired nurse from Roath, Cardiff, who has had experiences she would never have dreamed of since signing up as a Cardiff Host City volunteer for London 2012.
Her track record comprises the 2011 GB Cup, an international wheelchair rugby tournament; the Cardiff Half Marathon; the cricket ICC Champions Trophy; Olympic Football, Paralympic Pre-Games Camps; UEFA Super Cup; Rugby World Cup; UEFA Champions League Final; Ashes Cricket; the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships and many more.
So what’s the attraction?
Hilary said:
“I must be Cardiff’s least-sporty volunteer, but that makes no difference. I’ve had years of fun, enjoyment, and the fulfilment of being part of a team. There’s a real buzz to these bit sporting events, and you meet such great people who become firm friends. I know how good these major events are for the reputation and economy of Cardiff and Wales, but I get so much out of them in personal terms. I’m proud to show off my city to these temporary residents, and with 50 days to go before the fleet arrives, I’d urge people to come and try it for the Volvo Ocean Race in this Year of the Sea in Wales.”
There will be a two week long free festival in the Volvo Ocean Race Village located near Cardiff Bay Barrage, where visitors will be able to see the boats, and find a variety of Race-themed attractions and entertainment on the waterfront, includinglive musicand performances of LEXICON, a contemporary take on circus heritage, created by Cardiff’s own NoFit State and Firenza Guidi. The festival will have a Welsh flavour, with Welsh producers offering locally-sourced food and drink – from bars offering real ale to the most popular street food vendors.
The 45,000 nautical mile Volvo Ocean Race set out from Alicante last October, journeying across the great oceans with stopovers in some of the most famous maritime destinations such as Hong Kong, Cape Town, and Auckland. When it leaves Cardiff on June 10, it moves on to Gothenburg and The Hague for its finale at the end of June.
After the Volvo Ocean Race, Hilary will embark on a new adventure that volunteering has opened up for her …on the other side of the world. Hilary will travel to New Zealand and Australia to visit friends she made volunteering for the Australian Paralympic team in Cardiff, at the Golden Oldies Rugby Festival, and at the 2015 Rugby World Cup – and of course she will be volunteering at a rugby festival in New Zealand while she is there.
