In just over a week, the world's ultimate sailing series arrives in Cardiff and the Volvo Ocean Race official supplier, Musto, has been announced as host-city partner for the Cardiff stopover.

The fleet are expected to arrive on Monday 28^thMay following a 2,900 nautical mile voyage from America across the Atlantic, and will remain in Cardiff Bay for two-weeks. During this time, the Bay and the newly developed Alexandra Head will be transformed into an impressive race village, hosting a free festival of live entertainment and music, water sports, Volvo Ocean Race themed attractions and food, drink and trade stalls.

The 13^thedition of the race returns to the United Kingdom for the first time in over a decade. Celebrating a return to the home nation, Musto, a British brand known internationally for its ocean sailing clothing, will provide a series of activities at the Race Village including; The Volvo Ocean Race Official Merchandise Store, which makes it easy to show support towards the ultimate sailing event, the Winch Grinding Challenge where visitors can rise to the challenge to win prizes and attempt to record the fastest time, and the Musto Chill Out Zone offering a place to sit back, and relax. They have also kitted out three of the competing teams; Vestas 11^thHour Racing, Team Brunel and Turn the Tide on Plastic.

Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Councillor Peter Bradbury said: "This is a renowned sailing series and it is great to see universal leading brands sponsoring Cardiff's stopover for the race. Cardiff has an impressive reputation for delivering major sporting events, and partnerships like these, that host and deliver global sporting events, generate a substantial economic boost for Cardiff and Wales' economy. 

"The race village will be a leading tourist attraction for sailing enthusiasts, families and visitors to the city, offering a fortnight of first-class entertainment from famous brands such as Musto.

"As the event draws closer, we look forward to welcoming Volvo Ocean Race to Cardiff and thousands of new visitors to Wales, who are set to experience a vibrant capital city and a nation with a rich and diverse cultural heritage." 

Keith Taperell, Global Brand Director at Musto, comments, "We are delighted to come on-board as Host City Partners of the Volvo Ocean Race Cardiff Stopover, as the race returns to our home soil. We're especially excited to be a part of the celebrations in this dynamic location as the boats dock in Cardiff Bay for the first time in the race's 45-year history'.

The Race Village site will also host The Boatyard, a comprehensive maintenance facility which provides essential repairs to the yachts. Members of the public will have the opportunity to see the thrashing the vessels encounter during the race and the specialist work that goes into ensuring they are in perfect race condition at each stopover.

Cardiff is the ninth leg of the 45,000 nautical mile race. For more information about Volvo Ocean Race go to www.volvooceanracecardiff.comwww.visitcardiff.com

For more information about Musto and Official Race merchandise please visit www.musto.com/volvo-ocean-race