SINGAPORE: For the first time, the Volvo Ocean Race will have Asian cities as part of the route.

Dubbed as the F1 of sailing, the race will have a Singapore stopover, the longest for the race, taking place in December.

A total of 105 local sailors will act as ambassadors when the race is in town, and some will get a first hand feel of the world class sailing action.

President of Singapore Sailing Federation, Low Teo Ping, said, "... have at least one or two of our local sailors involved in each of the boats in the race itself in Singapore. So they really can get immersed into the actual racing itself, and racing in this kind of quality boats."

Private banking giant UBS, which has strong links with the sport, is the title sponsor for the Singapore leg of the race.

Besides sports, there will also be economic spin-offs from this event.

An estimated 100,000 visitors are expected at the racing village, which will be housed at Sentosa during the three weeks that the event will be staged in Singapore.

The boats are expected to arrive in Singapore around Christmas and will be competing in the in-port race, off the East Coast, in January.

-CNA/yt