Starting Line moved: Leg 10 starts in Sandhamn
2009-06-23 by Rikard Björk
Public interest is too great. That is why Volvo Ocean Race organisers have decided to move the starting line of Leg 10, Stockholm to St Petersburg, on 25 June at 2:00 pm from Kanholmsfjärden to the southeast side of Sandhamn.
Download map of start area in larger format (1126,1 kB)
Please also observe that the Volvo Open 70 yachts depart from Skeppsbron already at 07.30 Thursday 25 June, due to the starting line being moved.
"There are simply too many private boats on the water following the competing boats. We are naturally very pleased, but the large numbers can jeopardise safety," says Ola Åstradsson, Port Stopover Manager in Stockholm.
The Stockholm City Sprint attracted over 150 000 people to the Race Village at Skeppsbron. At least a further 100 000 spectators gathered along the docks and at lookout points along the race trail. In addition, more than 1000 boats were watching the race from the water.
"The numbers were very high. And we think that there will be considerably more people watching the race start on the 25th of June. That is why we have chosen to move the starting line into more open water, where there is room for everyone," says Ola Åstradsson.
There are still good opportunities for those who don't have a boat to watch the start from land.
"Front-row seats are to be had at Troueville and Dansberget in Sandhamn," says Ola Åstradsson.