Latest Volvo Ocean Race news

Team Russia has finished leg two of the Volvo Ocean Race and was the eighth and final boat to arrive in Cochin. Just in time to join the inauguration of the Race Village.

It takes a lot of stamina to fly economy class from Europe to Cape Town. Sailing it in a Volvo Open 70 is even worse. “It’s the worst I’ve ever experienced, I was completely drained when we reached the finish line,” says Richard Mason, the watch captain of Ericsson 3, which was third past the line.

Early in the morning on the 1st of November, Ericsson 4 crossed the finishing line in Cape Town and claimed victory on the first leg of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009.

A double victory for Telefonica Blue in the in-port race series on Alicante Bay gives them the overall points lead. Sister ship Telefonica Black gave more cause for Spanish celebration by claiming second place overall.

This year’s Volvo Ocean Race covers an entirely new course and will be the longest and toughest to date. Eight yachts will line up for the start on October 11 in Alicante, Spain. Each boat is equipped with two diesel engines from Volvo Penta.

The Volvo Ocean Race has launched a new version of the official race web site, aimed at taking visitors closer to the heart of the action. It will be available in four languages, reflecting the diversity of the new race course.

Volvo Ocean Race 2008 may break previous records in number of key clients visiting the ports. ‘The forecast indicates more visitors this race, and then we have to add the local customers. We are looking at a record number of guests,’ says Sven Österberg of Volvo Event Management.

Yesterday, it was confirmed that the Dutch yacht Team Delta Lloyd will be the eighth entry in the Volvo Ocean Race. The team will be sailing the winning boat from the 2005-06 event.

Marstrand, the famous sailing and recreational island close to Goteborg on Sweden’s west coast, will be the Pit Stop for the 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race en route to Stockholm, race organisers have announced.

Norway’s Knut Frostad has been appointed as Chief Executive of the Volvo Ocean Race. Frostad, who has taken part in the Whitbread/Volvo Ocean Race four times, will take up his position on 3 March.