Cochin, Dec 14 (ANI): After the long ten-day stopover on the shores of India, the Volvo Ocean Race was flagged off from Kochi Port to Singapore to its third leg.
Union Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni flagged off the race from Race Village on Willingdon Island.
Soni said the large presence of foreign tourists who had touched down in Cochin would send across a message that India is a safe tourist destination despite the recent Mumbai terror attacks.
"This Volvo Race is one of the big boosts for tourism. Kerala's Tourism Minister told me that 2000 foreign guests are present in Cochin alone. This is how the message will go around that India being such a large country, is a totally safe country to move around," she said.
Sky diving by personnel of the Southern Naval Command and a display by world paragliding champion Mathew Rouneh stole the show on the final day.
The eight skippers addressed a news conference before leaving Cochin.
The skippers said they were impressed by their Cochin sojourn and were looking forward to the third leg.
Ian Walker, the skipper of the Green Dargon, described it as a great day.
The Volvo Ocean Race started from Alicante in Spain on October 4. The eight participating teams touched Cape Town in South Africa on November 15 and arrived in Cochin from where they will commence the third leg of the race to Singapore. (ANI)
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