World sailing returns

After a decade in the doldrums of ocean sailing, Auckland yachties are celebrating, reports Edward Rooney.
Auckland will anchor the world's largest sailing event next year, more than 10 years after being bypassed.
Next year's stopover for the Volvo Ocean Race - which many landlubbers will remember by its earlier name, the Whitbread - will be the eighth time the race has come to Auckland. This is the 11th race in the event, which was first held in 1973/74.
Viaduct Harbour and its surroundings will get a race village makeover for the 10-day March stopover, with the Viaduct Events Centre serving as race headquarters.
Latitude Island will be the entertainment hub with a programme of events on a big stage, large screens, fireworks, live music, and concept bars. Events organiser Mayo And Ltd says there will be stalls, food, and family activities in Gateway Plaza. A pit lane in front of the Viaduct Events Centre will allow audiences to see the fleet up close and watch teams prepare for the next leg.
An interactive Volvo Ocean Race Experience Zone will offer insights into life on board, with a simulator, grinding challenge and a chance to race mini-versions of the Volvo Open 70 racers.
The organisers say admission to the village and activities will be free.
The race starts in Alicante (Spain) on October 29 and features nine legs with stopovers in Cape Town (South Africa), Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), Sanya (China), Auckland, Itajai (Brazil), Miami (United States), Lisbon (Portugal) and Lorient (France) with the finish in Galway (Ireland) on July 1. Each stopover features an in-port race, with points counting towards the overall standings, and a pro-am race.
China has launched into race contention for the first time, with New Zealander Mike Sanderson, one of the world's leading helmsmen and former skipper of Dutch ABN Amro, heading its Team Sanya.
The last Auckland stopover was a decade ago, during the 2001-02 race, although there was a 48-hour pitstop in Wellington in 2005-06.
Next year's race is expected to feature seven boats, with Emirates Team New Zealand's entry Camper considered a top contender. Camper, helmed by Chris Nicholson, was officially farewelled today.
Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development, controlled by the Auckland Council, won the bid to stage the stopover.
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron will manage the in-port race.
Stop and go
The Auckland stopover runs from March 8-18, 2012.
March 8 Boats scheduled to arrive for finish of leg four from Sanya, the southernmost city in China.
March 16 Pro-Am Race.
March 17 In-Port Race.
March 18 Start of leg five to Itajai, Brazil.