World Racing - The Volvo Ocean Race

The Volvo Ocean Race, known to those in the know as the Everest of sailing is a yacht race to end all yacht races

. Originally called the Whitbread Round the World Race, the Volvo Ocean Race is now named after its current owner, Volvo.

So what exactly is the Volvo Ocean Race?

The 2011-2012 Volvo Ocean Race will begin in Alicante, Spain in October 2011 and will finish up in Galway, Ireland in July 2012. Battling against some of the worlds most dangerous seas the 72,000km race covers Cape Town, Auckland, Lisbon, Miami, Abu Dhabi and Lorient. It is one incredibly intense race. Each boat is allowed a team of 11 professional crew members.

This is a race of physical exertion, endurance and skill. Racing for over 20 days at a time it really is a battle of physical and mental strength. Each team will have crew members with specific roles. Some of these include, medics, sailmakers, media crew and engineers.

The history of the race

The race began back in 1972 and as mentioned previously, it was called the 'Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race'. Apparently it all started with a few beers in a Portsmouth pub. Two men, Guy Pearce and Anthony Churchill were in awe of a sailor called Robin Knox-Johnston who had circumnavigated single handedly the world. Back then it started in Portsmouth and followed the square riggers. From 2001 Volvo took over the race and hence named it the Volvo Ocean race.

There is no cash prize involved. The aim of the race is to win and to be rewarded as the winner. In times gone by the sailors have experienced some of the harshest conditions in sailing. Back in 1973 when the race first started, three sailors were lost due to horrendous storms causing winds of up to 60 knots and waves lashing over as high as 100 feet.

What other rules are involved?

No fresh food is allowed on board the ships. Only freeze-dried sustenance. The elements will really battle against them and the crews will experience temperatures from -5 to +40 degrees Celsius. So adaptation in these conditions is key. Only one change of clothes is permitted also and the crew will suffer from hunger, sleep deprivation amongst other things.

The Ports

The race will start from Alicante in Spain and end in Galway, Ireland. During the nine months the crew will race to the following ports. Alicante to Cape Town, Cape Town to Abu Dhabi, onto Sanya, Sanya to Auckland and then onto Itajai. Next the sailors will head to Miami and then cross the Atlantic to Lisbon. The final leg will see them race from Lorient to Galway.

The scoring

The winner of each leg will receive the maximum amount of points. So, for example if the race has 10 entries there will be a maximum of 5 points for each entry. Therefore 50 points will be awarded to the winner of each leg. The team with the most amount of points at the end wins.

This is a one-of-a-kind race. Speed, endurance, agility, stamina, mental and physical strength will all be required. It will be a long nine months but a real sense of adventure and accomplishment is to be had.

by: Simon White

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