Rio once again demonstrated its capability to host major sporting events over the weekend with a double dose of sports competitions held in the city’s planned 2016 venues. Guanabara Bay was the setting for the in-port regatta of the fifth leg of the Volvo Ocean Race, the world’s most significant race around the world, on Saturday while on Sunday, 2,500 swimmers competed in the Travessia dos Fortes, a traditional aquatic marathon between Copacabana and Leme beaches. The two events bolstered Rio’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The seven boats competing in the Volvo Ocean Race also participated in the in-port race with the title going to Telefônica Blue of Spain. Brazilians Marcelo Ferreira and Torben Grael, two-time Olympic champions in the Star class, were among the participants. “Competing at home is fantastic,” said Ferreira. The Marina da Gloria in Guanabara Bay is set to stage Olympic sailing if Rio is selected to host the 2016 Games.

Rio is the only port of call in South America for Volvo’s Ocean Race. Hundreds of fans attended the race where they cheered on some of the world’s greatest sailors and learned more about the sport through various onsite activities such as an ocean storm simulator.

At Sunday’s seventh edition of the Travessia dos Fortes, the 2,500 participants were blessed with great weather conditions and unprecedented encouragement from hundreds of spectators along the beach. Allan do Carmo and Poliana Okimoto, who represented Brazil at the 2008 Beijing Games, won the day’s race. “I love taking part in the Travessia dos Fortes, a very popular event and one that is important for promoting aquatic marathon events in Brazil. Competing in Rio is marvelous, the day was beautiful and we could feel the genuine enthusiasm of the crowd cheering us on,” said do Carmo.

The Travessia dos Fortes was held at one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and proposed Rio 2016 competition locations. Should Rio be selected to host the Games on 2 October 2009, Copacabana Beach will host triathlon, beach volleyball and aquatic marathon competitions.