Volvo Ocean Race

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

Race History

Around the world ocean sailing has an interesting history. The first known person to sail around the world alone was a Canadian, Joshua Slocum.

In 1898 it took him 3 years to complete the journey, a long time compared to the 10 months that it takes when competing in the current Volvo Ocean Race. However, he elected to sail from east to west which meant he sailed against the winds and made many long stops along the way.

The next achievement in sailing came after the two world wars. An Englishman, Sir Francis Chichester who gained his title after the English Queen knighted him after he successfully sailed the so called clipper-route around the world alone - the path the big clipper boats took in the 19th century between Europe, Far East, Australia and New Zealand. With the boat ´Gipsy Moth IV´ he started from Plymouth in southwest England on the 27th August 1966. 226 days later he came to the finish.

In 1968 The Sunday Times newspaper announced Golden Globe trophy for first fastest non-stop solo circumnavigation. Robin Knox-Johnston was the only one to finish in 312 days. He began on the 14 June 1968 and came to the finish 10 months later, on the 22nd April 1969.

In 1973 the "The Whitbread Round the World Race" was born. The race was conceived and organised by the Royal Naval Sailing Association with sponsorship from the London-based brewery company and was the first ever attempt at a global, crewed yacht race.

August 1977: Four years on and already, the Whitbread Trophy had become
one of the most coveted titles in offshore racing. This time, 15 yachts representing 12 nations with 168 crew jostled for the best position on the Portsmouth start line.

In the 1997-98 edition of the Whitbread Round the World Race, Volvo had seized the opportunity to sponsor the overall prize. During the period between races,
Volvo negotiated with Whitbread to take over the ownership and management of the whole event. Volvo had been looking at sailing with a view to sponsoring a major event and the Whitbread filled the bill perfectly. They began their tenure in 1998. With new management, a new identity, the advantage of cutting edge technology and a new race team, the event moved to a higher plane.

Today the Volvo Ocean Race is well known the world-over and counts as sailings Mount Everest.