The Volvo Ocean Race will now be run every 2 years instead of 3 years, starting with the next edition in 2017-2018. This change will ensure more continuity and more commercial value for the professional teams, sponsors and host cities.
This change will allow a race to take place at least once every calendar year, which means more action for fans of this iconic round-the-world sailing race, more continuous employment for professional sailors, and a better return on investment for those who support the teams.
The 2017-18 edition will start on 22 October in Alicante and will end at the end of June next year in The Hague, the Netherlands. The next three races will take place in 2019-20, 2021-22 and 2023-24. The bidding process for the host cities is already open for the next 3 editions. This change is in addition to the new stopover formats already put in place by the race organisation.
Over the last 20 years, the Volvo Ocean Race has developed massively from the first routes with just three stops around the world. The race now has many stops, appreciated by fans and sponsors alike. In 2017-2018, the Volvo Ocean Race will have 12 host cities.
Future editions may also be reduced by a few months compared to the current 8/9 month edition. But the idea is still to increase the markets over each 4-year period, and therefore every two races.
"At the same time, we'll strengthen the main DNA and legacy of the race - always around the world, and always, having the Southern Oceans around Antarctica in our hearts." says Mark Turner.
The race makes a firm commitment to visit North America, South America, Australasia, China and at least five major European markets at least once every edition (and in some cases every edition). The Southern Ocean will always, always be at the heart of the challenge for the world's best professional sailors.
