Guangzhou -

Race Village opening: 31 January 2018
Average ETA: 1 February 2018
Dongfeng In-Port Race Guangzhou: 3 February 2018, 07:00 UTC (15:00 Guangzhou)
Leg Start: 5 February 2018

Download 3D maps here:
- Guangzhou Race Village map (PDF 1.5MB)
- Dongfeng In-Port Race course map (PDF 251KB)

More information can be found on the Guangzhou host city website.

Guangzhou is another first for the Volvo Ocean Race.
The cosmopolitan city of Guangzhou has been around for over 2,200 years and has developed into one of China’s four Tier 1 cities. It is the third most populous city in mainland China after Beijing and Shanghai. It’s a major trading port, its key coastal location making it one of the most well-connected cities in the country and it’s a growing tourist centre with a cultural diversity that adds to its appeal.

Putting the sport of sailing on China’s Map.
The fleet will be based at Nansha Marina on the Pearl River. This will be the fourth edition in succession to feature a stop in China. The first time the Race came here was in 2008-09 (Qingdao) and Sanya took up the baton in 2011-12 and 2014-15. With Dongfeng Race Team flying the Chinese flag in the Race itself, China has well and truly put the sport of sailing on the map, and Guangzhou will no doubt provide an incredible and traditional Chinese welcome.

How do I get there?

Race Village: 
Nansha Marina, South Gangqian Road, 
Nansha District, 
Guangzhou, 511458, PRC

Air: There are 5 international airports within 1,5 hours by car from Nansha - Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN), Hong Kong International Airport, Macau International Airport, Shenzhen Baoan Airport and Zhuahai Airport. Guangzhou and Hong Kong are probably most suitable for international visitors and for domestic flights, we recommend Shenzhen Airport as the closest to Nansha, but the other mainland airports are also accessible. 
By water: Fast ferries from Hong Kong China City Terminal to Nansha Ferry Terminal, or HKIA to Humen Ferry Terminal.
By road: There is a well-developed network of highways linking Nansha with the largest cities in Guangdong. It’s also possible to get from Hong Kong to Nansha by road.
Subway: Line 4 from Jinzhou subway station links the centre of Nansha with Guangzhou. By the end of the year the line will be extended to Nansha Ferry Terminal (800m from the marina).
High speed train: Guangzhou South railway station (around an hour's drive) or Qingsheng station - 20 minutes  from Nansha Bay, link Guangzhou with the biggest cities in China.
Alternative: There’s a vast system of small streets and alleys, greenways, boulevards and parks that are great for cycling. Over 100 rental outlets are available so you will have no problem renting a bike. 

The Volvo Ocean Race will be in Guangzhou from 31 January - 5 February 2018 and we’re looking for people to join our Volunteer Programme and help make the Stopover a huge success.

Registration for Guangzhou will be open from July but in the meantime, if you are looking for more information about becoming a Volunteer, please email the Volunteer Programme Manager, Ruth Tuiraviravi.

MAPFRE claim top spot in China

The Spanish team takes victory in Guangzhou to extend their lead at the top of the In-Port Race Series leaderboard.

There is a new leader in the Volvo Ocean Race In-Port Race Series, after MAPFRE won the Dongfeng In-Port Race in Guangzhou, China on Saturday afternoon.

The win puts the Spanish race leader alone at the top of the In-Port Race Series leaderboard, after a wire to wire win.

“It was very tricky racing in the river of course,” said MAPFRE skipper Xabi Fernández. “We had a very good start and then we were able to stay in phase with the wind and current and extended away.”

It was a more challenging afternoon for the hometown heroes on Dongfeng Race Team, who were over the starting line early, along with SHK/Scallywag.

But while Scallywag returned to re-start cleanly, Dongfeng found itself tangled up with the anchor line for the start mark – by the time they were free the rest of the fleet was hundreds of metres up the course.

While MAPFRE started well and extended away for the win, there was a real battle for second place between Team Brunel, with America’s Cup winner Peter Burling on the helm, and team AkzoNobel.

The pair switched places time and again on the first three laps of the course, before Burling and Brunel extended slightly on the last upwind leg to gain some comfort on the final run to the finish.

Scallywag, who were third at the first top mark, fell to Brunel on the first run and then had fourth place to themselves the rest of the way.

Meanwhile, Dongfeng Race Team was making every effort to pick up at least one position before the finish. The gap with Turn the Tide on Plastic narrowed on each leg, but in the end, Dee Caffari was able to hold off the late charge and secure fifth place, leaving Dongfeng in sixth.

The fleet will depart Guangzhou on Monday for Auckland, with a short stop scheduled in Hong Kong before a re-start on Wednesday February 7 at 1300 local time (0500 UTC).

Volvo Ocean Race In-Port Race Series Leaderboard
MAPFRE – 32 points
Dongfeng Race Team – 27 points
Team Brunel – 23 points
team AkzoNobel – 21 points
Sun Hung Kai / Scallywag – 13 points
Vestas 11th Hour Racing – 12 points
Turn the Tide on Plastic – 10 points

Watch the Dongfeng In-Port Race Guangzhou in 56 seconds!