Race set to return to a home port

The organizers of the Volvo Ocean Race and the China Yachting Association (CYA) signed a new cooperation agreement in Beijing last week, giving China the green light to host a stopover during the next edition of the world's premier sailing race.

China has not concealed its wish to get more involved since it defied frigid temperatures to successfully host the fleet earlier this year in Qingdao, the host city of the Olympic sailing competition of the 2008 Beijing Games.

The agreement means the Chinese ports are at the frontline in becoming one of the eight stopovers in the 2011-2012 race.