Only 200 days to go! That’s 28 and a half weeks, or six and a half months – and we can’t wait.
Remember the date: Sunday 22 October 2017. That’s the moment that the 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race fleet will line up on the start line in Alicante, Spain, ready to embark upon a 45,000-mile race around the planet.
200 days to go! | Volvo Ocean Race
The next race promises to be one of the most extreme ever, with teams of between seven and 12 world-class sailors racing three times more miles in the freezing Southern Ocean, the most remote area on earth in a 65-foot racing machine – reinforcing the event’s status as the ultimate test of a team in professional sport.
Who are the contenders for the trophy? Four teams – featuring some of the most iconic offshore sailors in recent history – have already entered the next race, with more on the way.
Team AkzoNobel, the first entry to announce for the next edition, led by Simeon Tienpont, are looking to bring the glory back to the Netherlands – the most successful nation in the race’s history, with three wins.
team AkzoNobel’s Simeon Tienpont is looking to bring the glory days back to the Netherlands – the most successful nation in the race’s history, with three wins – the last in 2005-06
Dongfeng Race Team – fresh from a surprise performance in 2014-15 – are back, stronger and more experienced, with French skipper Charles Caudrelier determined to challenge all the way. And they’ve already assembled a top-quality squad capable of lifting the trophy, with ISAF Sailor of the Year Carolijn Brouwer stepping on board, France’s Olympic Games 2016 star Marie Riou swapping inshore for offshore, and Kiwi race veterans Daryl Wislang and Stu Bannatyne coming into the fold.
But Charles isn’t the only returning skipper. MAPFRE’s Xabi Fernández, who, alongside Iker Martínez, led the Spanish boat last edition, is back for his fifth consecutive race – and with one focus: to win the Volvo Ocean Race trophy for the first time in Spain’s history.
The race continues to be a unique communications and commercial platform for global business – and 2017-18 is only the second time in the event’s 44-year history that three major title sponsors have returned for a second consecutive race.
2017-18 is only the second time in the event’s 44-year history that three major title sponsors have returned for a second consecutive race
Vestas is one of them, and blue is back with a renewed focus and motivation. They’ve teamed up with 11th Hour Racing to form Vestas 11th Hour Racing – the fourth entry of the edition – and the team will be led by American duo Charlie Enright and Mark Towill. The pair are eyeing glory on the race track, and have a key objective off it – to raise awareness around the issue of ocean health, particularly around marine debris.
And, aside from an epic battle on the water, fans can look forward to a more connected and raw experience than ever before. 2017-18 promises to be the most digital and engaging edition in the race’s history, and with sailors sending social media updates live from the race track for the first time ever, prepare to get closer to the action than you ever expected.
