This double-handed round the world race on IMOCA boats takes place every four years, interspersed with the Vendée Globe. This allows teams that are committed to a programme lasting several years to have visibility between the Route du Rhum 2018 and the Transat Jacques Vabre 2019.
For the past 10 years, the Barcelona World Race has been leaving Barcelona, a Mediterranean port, for a non-stop double-handed round the world voyage. This year a stopover in Sydney was added to allow crews to change crew. This stopover was also intended to develop the class to the antipodes.
However, given the current political problems in Catalonia, the city of Barcelona, the main partner of the event, no longer wished to finance the next edition. As a result, the private partners followed suit and withdrew as well. No more sponsor, no more race!
Already 8 teams had registered for this race and others had expressed the desire to participate. The IMOCA class, having just recovered from this sudden announcement, is looking for a Plan B to replace this important event. But the schedule is tight for a new organisation of the race, which was due to start on 12th January 2019
