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Race presentation

"It's a combination of long oceanic legs and coastal races. You need a versatile boat and crew." (Jean-Luc Nélias, navigator aboard Groupama 4).

10 countries, 9 stages, 8 months of racing

10 countries, 9 stages, 8 months of racing

A crewed race around the world with stopovers, the Volvo Ocean Race, formerly called the Whitbread, will set off from Alicante (Spain) on 5 November 2011 for its eleventh running.

Since its creation in 1973 by the Royal Naval Yacht Club, the legendary round the world race has attracted 163 crews to take the start. Among the famous sailors having taken part in this adventure, we find Frenchman Éric Tabarly, who despite five participations never actually won this round the world. In fact France has had its name inscribed on the Volvo Ocean Race winners' list just one time, back in 1986, thanks to Lionel Péan's victory on L'Esprit d'équipe. Groupama 4 is the first French boat to compete since 1993.

For 8 months and over the course of 10 legs, the crews will sail over 39,270 miles. Two hemispheres, three oceans (Atlantic, Indian, Pacific), five seas (Mediterranean, Oman, China, Tasman and Iroise), four gulfs (Oman, Persian, Bengal, Hauraki), six straits (Gibraltar, Hormuz, Malacca, Luçon, Drake, Providence), bays, harbours and currents... the Volvo Ocean Race course offers a very wide range of weather conditions.

The race will round off in Galway (Ireland) on 7 July 2012 after stopping off in Lorient, France, Groupama sailing team's base, from 16 June to 1 July 2012.

 

The Volvo Ocean Race alternates between offshore race legs between the different countries and the so called "In-Port" races during the stopovers.

What are the `In-Port' races?

The Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 comprises ten ‘In-Port' races where the teams will score 18% of their points. These races have the particular feature that they take place near the coast, as close as possible to the spectators, following courses which are adapted to the local landscapes.
Volvo Ocean Race

Race programme

 

29 October 2011: In-Port race (Alicante, Spain)
5 November 2011: start of 1st leg (Alicante -
Cape Town: 6,500 miles)
ETA in Cape Town : 25 November 2011

10 December 2011: In-Port race (Cape Town,
South Africa)
11 December 2011: start of 2nd leg (Cape Town - Abu Dhabi: 5,430 miles)
ETA in Abu Dhabi : 1 January 2012

13 January 2012: In-Port race (Abu Dhabi,
United Arab Emirates)
14 January 2012: start of 3rd leg (Abu Dhabi - Sanya: 4,600 miles)
ETA in Sanya : 4 February 2012

18 February 2012: In-Port race (Sanya, China)
19 February 2012: start 4th leg (Sanya - Auckland: 5,220 miles)
ETA in Auckland : 8 March 2012

17 March 2012: In-Port race (Auckland, New Zealand)
18 March 2012: start 5th leg (Auckland - Itajai: 6,705 miles)
ETA in Itajai : 4 April 2012

21 April 2012: In-Port race (Itajai, Brazil)
22 April 2012: start 6th leg (Itajai - Miami:
4,800 miles)
ETA in Miami : 6 May 2012

19 May 2012: In-Port race (Miami, United States)
20 May 2012: start 7th leg (Miami - Lisbon:
3,590 miles)
ETA in Lisbon : 31 May 2012

9 June 2012: In-Port race (Lisbon, Portugal)
10 June 2012: start 8th leg (Lisbon - Lorient via the Azores: 1,940 miles)
ETA in Lorient : 17 June 2012

30 June 2012: In-Port race (Lorient, France)
1 July 2012: start 9th leg (Lorient - Galway:
485 miles)
ETA for finish in Galway : 3 July 2012

7 July 2012: In-Port race (Galway, Ireland)

Memo for the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012


 

11th edition
39,270 miles to cover
139 days offshore
The Volvo Ocean Race course spans over 39,000 miles, the equivalent of four return trips between London (United Kingdom) and Melbourne (Australia).
8 sails carried aboard
The longest leg: between Auckland (New Zealand) and Itajai (Brazil) - 6,705 miles.
First race in Alicante on 29 October 2011
Start in Alicante on 5 November 2011
Last race in Galway on 7 July 2012
French stopover in Lorient from 16 June to 1 July
Ranking in points, 18% of which are for the races at the stopovers
The shortest leg: between Lorient (France) and Galway (Ireland), just 485 miles apart.

For all the rules of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 visit the official website at http://www.volvooceanrace.com

 

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