Volvo Ocean Race to set sail with Sina Sports

The Sina Sports division of Chinese internet operator Sina has agreed a content partnership with sailing’s Volvo Ocean Race.

The agreement is for the 2017-18 edition of the Race, which commences in Alicante, Spain on October 22.

Along with an 11-part television series that begins in October and runs monthly through to July 2018, Sina Sports will also feature weekly race updates, regular news highlights and streaming of race leg starts, in-port races and leg finishes and arrivals of the fleet into each stopover port.

Sina Sports will access other live updates from the race including interviews or boat look-ins. The Race’s weekly highlights package will also be distributed via social media platform Weibo.

China’s Dongfeng Race Team are set to compete in their second Volvo Ocean Race, with the 2017-18 edition featuring stopovers in Hong Kong and Guangzhou in January.

“Since 2008-09 when the race first stopped in Qingdao, China has been a critical market for the global growth and visibility of the Volvo Ocean Race,” Jordi Neves, chief digital officer for the Volvo Ocean Race, said.

“Over the past decade, that growth has seen a Chinese boat in the fleet, numerous Chinese sailors and several highly successful stopovers in China. Partnering with an outlet like Sina, which commands such a broad reach, will further our efforts to reach new sailing and sports fans in China and across Asia.”