One of the world's top three most popular sailing events, the Volvo Ocean Race, made port at the cosmopolitan city of Guangzhou on Feb 1.

Guangzhou is the only city in the Chinese mainland to be included in this year's event, which has a total of 11 stopovers with Guangzhou being the sixth. This is the fourth time for the event to include a stop in China, first with Qingdao in 2008-09 and Sanya taking up the baton in 2011-12 and 2014-15. 

A special ceremony is held in Nansha Marina, Guangzhou on Feb 1 in celebration of the Guangzhou leg of the 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race. [Photo/Chinanews.com] 

Six participating teams set out from Alicante, Spain on Oct 22 last year on a journey that will span 45,000 nautical miles and seven oceans. The event will conclude in June of this year as the teams make their final stop in Hague of the Netherlands. 

The fleet is currently based at Nansha Marina on the Pearl River and will treat Guangzhou locals to a thrilling sailing competition on Feb 3 before embarking on the next leg of their journey on Feb 5.

The six international teams, including Team Akzonobel of the Netherlands, Team Dongfeng of China, Mapfre of Spain, and Vestas 11th Hour representing both the USA and Denmark, dock at Nansha Marina. [Photo/Chinanews.com] 

According to a press conference held at Nansha Marina, the Spanish team Mapfre currently ranks first in this year's event, with the Chinese Dongfeng Racing Team claiming second and the American-Danish team Vestas 11th Hour in third.

Team Dongfeng, back for its second round under the leadership of French captain Charles Caudrelier, far exceeded expectations with a podium finish in 2014-15. Caudrelier's diverse crew features three Chinese sailors -- Chen Jinhao, Liu Xue and Yang Jiru and hopes to make history this year by claiming the top prize for China.

The Dongfeng Race Team currently ranks second in this year's Volvo Ocean Race. [Photo/Chinanews.com]