Volvo Ocean Race

• About Volvo Ocean Race
• Calendar 2008-2009
• Eleven Stopovers
• Scoring
• Race History
• Environmental Initiative
• Links Volvo Ocean Race

Five continents and five oceans in nine months

Start: Alicante, Spain, october 2008
finish: St Petersburg, russia, june 2009

When the Volvo Open 70 yachts cross the finishing line in St Petersburg after the 2008/2009 Volvo Ocean Race, they will have sailed at least 37 000 nautical miles across the worlds most dramatic seas. They will also have stopped at ports in five continents - Europe, Asia, Africa, South and North America.

The eight competing boats have eleven crew, who not only race the boat but also have a range of other responsibilities. On every boat there are two crew members that are responsible for any medical situation on board, an engineer, a sailmaker and additionally a media specialist to communicate all the action on board through photos, videos and daily written reports.

The Volvo Ocean Race is the world´s most demanding yacht race. Certain legs, such as Qingdao to Rio de Janeiro will involve non-stop sailing for more than 30 days. The diet onboard consists of freeze dried food and the temperatures on board can range from minus degrees to up to 40 degrees. Every crew has set of foul weather gear but only one change of clothing.

The race is the ultimate mix of world class sporting competition and on the edge adventure, a unique blend of onshore glamour with offshore drama and endurance.
It is undeniably the world's premier global race and one of the most demanding team sporting events in the world.