The Volvo Ocean Race’s sustainability message will touch six continents in 2017-18, thanks to a landmark partnership with 11th Hour Racing.
© Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race
As the Principal Partner of the Race’s sustainability push for the next edition, 11th Hour Racing will help the event to scale up its activity in Host Cities around the planet.
That will include the organisation of a series of Ocean Summits in stopovers – providing a platform for dialogue, change and action among key stakeholders within governments, companies, education and scientific communities – and building on the impact and legacy created in the 2014-15 edition.
This is the first milestone in a long term collaborative journey
Jeremy Pochman
The Race’s strategy consists of three key pillars: to minimise its own footprint, maximise its impact via the race’s digital platforms and physical reach, and leave a positive legacy wherever it goes.
“11th Hour Racing and the Volvo Ocean Race are natural partners,” said Jeremy Pochman, Strategic Director and Co-Founder of 11th Hour Racing.
“Today we applaud a series of outstanding objectives and commitments around the broader concept of sustainability. This is the first milestone in a long term collaborative journey that will benefit the teams, increase the overall efficiency of the event, engage fans all over the world, benefit local and global communities, influence the sporting industry as a whole, and help restore and protect the health of our ocean and waterways.”
© PAUL TODD/Volvo Ocean Race
11th Hour Racing is a program of The Schmidt Family Foundation which aims to increase our understanding of the oceans, find innovative solutions to the challenges that impact marine resources, and promote stewardship of the seas through strategic partnerships within the international sailing and marine communities, with three main areas of engagement: grants, sponsorships, and ambassadors.
“One of our key aims for 2017-18 is to leave a legacy,” said Volvo Ocean Race CEO Mark Turner. “We go to 12 Host Cities and in each location we are able to impact, influence, change views, and get new commitments while we are there from governments and business.
“With the help of 11th Hour Racing, we will use a series of Ocean Summits to bring science, politics, government and sport together to get them to commit to changing the way they behave or operate.”