Queen Elizabeth’s grandstand view of first Volvo Ocean Race yachts to arrive in AucklandQueen Elizabeth’s grandstand view of first Volvo Ocean Race yachts to arrive in Auckland

Auckland, which has hosted two America’s Cups, has been a regular official stopover for the event that takes place every three years and was originally the Whitbread Round The World Race.

The 2014-15 race began in the Spanish port of Alicante in October and is scheduled to finish in Gothenburg, the Swedish headquarters of Volvo, in June.

Viaduct Harbour, with more than 30 restaurants and bars, is a short walk from Queens Wharf where Queen Elizabeth will be berthed.

It will be transformed into a vibrant Race Village with convenient access to Auckland’s major tourist attractions and Viaduct Events Centre will act as race headquarters.

Mayor Len Brown has promised to pull out all the stops for visiting yachties and fans of ocean racing with a packed programme of entertainment, reinforcing Auckland’s position as an internationally recognised sailing and major events destination.