Volvo Ocean Race
Around the World Route Confirmed
Rotterdam (The
Netherlands), Portsmouth (UK) and Gothenburg (Sweden) have
been confirmed as the last two stopover ports and the finish
of the 31,250 nautical mile Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06.
These three ports
are rich in maritime history, and the three nations have historic
links with the Volvo Ocean Race and its 30-year history.
The around-the-world
Volvo Ocean Race starts in Galicia, Spain on 5 November 2005.
From Spain the fleet will race to Cape Town, Melbourne, Wellington,
Rio de Janeiro, Baltimore/Annapolis, New York, Portsmouth,
Rotterdam and finishing at Gothenburg on approximately 17
June, 2006.
Glenn Bourke, CEO
of the Volvo Ocean Race, joined Mayor Ivo Opstelten at the
Royal Yacht and Rowing Club 'De Maas' in Rotterdam on Friday,
11 February, to announce that Portsmouth and Rotterdam will
be the final two stopover ports of the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06.
And Gothenburg (pending final negotiations) will host the
finish of the world's premier ocean race.
Portsmouth is famous
as the home of the event at its inception in 1973 as The Whitbread
Round the World Race. It hosted the starts and finishes of
four races from 1973 to 1986. For 2006, it will be Portsmouth's
popular Gunwharf Quays and the historic dockyards, which will
be the venue for the Volvo Ocean Race village and racing fleet
from 23 May to 3 June.
There will be a
spectacular in-port race held in the Solent, the narrow stretch
of water between the mainland and the Isle of Wight so famous
for yacht racing.
Councillor Mike
Hancock said, "Portsmouth is delighted to have been chosen
as the UK stopover port for the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06.
Bringing this famous race back to its original home, Gunwharf
Quays, will be a major event in 2006. We will ensure the teams
and sponsors receive the world famous Portsmouth welcome."
The VOR fleet will
leave Portsmouth on 3 June, and in an re-enactment of previous
race starts, the fleet will race westwards down the English
Channel and sail 1500nm around Britain and Ireland to arrive
in Rotterdam on 9 June.
The Kop van Zuid
in the centre of Rotterdam will most probably host the finish
of this leg. With easy and direct access to the sea, Rotterdam
will also host the final and possibly the most exciting in-port
race on 11 June, as well as the start of the finishing leg
of the event on 15 June.
Mayor Ivo Opstelten
said, "This is a great honour for Rotterdam and for The
Netherlands. As European Capital of Sport for 2005, Rotterdam
has developed a reputation for hosting world class sporting
events. The 'Volvo' is a truly world class event – an
ultimate test of technology, sporting skill and teamwork.
These amazing boats, the world-class sailors, their back up
teams and their sponsors will be our guests for seven days.
We will give them a tremendous welcome and put on a fantastic
show for them, the people of Holland and the rest of the world
watching on TV and the web."
The climax of the
event will be the start of the nail-biting 500nm to Gothenburg,
Sweden on 15 June. Gothenburg hosted one of the best stopovers
during 2002 and it is of course the home of Volvo, making
it a natural home for the finish on 17 June.
Bourke commented,
"I am pleased that the result of many, many months of
discussion have now come to fruition, and we are able to announce
the final race track for the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06 here
in Rotterdam. The final three ports are steeped in maritime
history, have a phenomenal sailing heritage, an inbuilt love
of the sport and a strong relationship with the race. This
combination will give the race the final impetus needed as
it enters its final stage."
CLASSIFIEDS AUSTRALIA
