Around the World Ocean Race

Volvo Ocean Race (formerly the Whitbread Round the World Race) is a yacht race around the world, held every four years. Though the route is changed to accommodate various ports of call, the race typically departs England in September. The general route runs south through the Atlantic Ocean, around the tip of Africa, and then around the Southern Ocean.

The worst weather conditions are usually encountered in this leg, where waves sometimes top 100 feet (30 m) and winds can reach 60 knots (110 km/h). Competitors eventually round Cape Horn and turn back into the Atlantic for the trip back to England. The route generally covers in excess of 28,000 statute miles (45,000 km) over open ocean.

In 1972 England's Whitbread company and the British Royal Naval Sailing Association agreed to sponsor a globe-circling regatta, which would be called the "Whitbread Round the World Race". The race has been greatly modified in the ensuing thirty odd years, but remains true to its original goal: A test of will, courage and skill against the best (or more accurately, worst) nature has to offer. Along with the Vendee Globe and Global Challenge, the Whitbread (now Volvo Ocean Race) is the ultimate sailing adventure.

Volvo Ocean Race. (2006, November 18). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 01:13, November 23, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Volvo_Ocean_Race&oldid=88596776