2011 Volvo Ocean Race

[PCP]

There are good news about the race:

It will be bigger (more boats) and probably more competitive than the last one.

They talk about 10 boats. Two new entries already: Italy 70 and Groupama, with Frank Cammas. French and Italian. Frank Cammas is one of the world's best sailors and it will be a very strong contender.

More, about the boats: Very few changes (to permit the last year boat's to be competitive). More changes about the type and number of sails, to reduce costs.

Volvo Ocean Race

We know that the race will begin in Alicante (Spain), a very nice port with the marina almost inside the city, that they will sail to Cape Town (South Africa) and then they will return to Europe, to Lisbon.

Lisbon choice was announced yesterday:

"Lisbon has been chosen as the first of the European ports for the 2011-12 race. It will be the first time that the historic Portuguese port has hosted a stopover.
Lisbon, located in the west of Portugal, will be the finish of the transatlantic leg of the race during the summer of 2012.

Interest in hosting the race in Europe was received from 34 cities, 15 of which went through to the final phase of the bidding process. Europe was by far the most competitive continent in the selection procedure.

"It is great to have such an iconic city included in our list of stopovers and Lisbon, especially, has wonderful sailing conditions, which will make for a very exciting in-port race," said CEO Knut Frostad.
"Lisbon is a delightful city with much to offer the race. This will be a stopover to look forward to after the rigours of the transatlantic leg.
---------------------------------------
The second European port will be announced on Wednesday 3 March. The entire route will be revealed by the end of the month".

Volvo Ocean Race

Regards

Paulo

[PCP]

That's the French boat.

G70_230210_0104_1.JPG (image)

Isn't it a beauty?

[smackdaddy]

I will be following this one very closely. VERY closely. Can't wait.

[PCP]

Next port of call: Lorient, 700km north of Lisbon.

Till now the choice of Ports has been great. All great places, with a strong connection with sailing and sailors.

About Lorient (Brittany-France):

"We are extremely pleased to have a strong French presence in the race," said Volvo Ocean Race CEO, Knut Frostad. "It has long been our goal to reignite the passion of this classic event among the French people and we are delighted to have reached an agreement with the city of Lorient to host the event for two consecutives races."…."Over the last 10 years, Lorient has transformed its submarine base into a European-wide sailing cluster, hosting a business centre dedicated to yachting activities where maxi trimarans 'Banque Populaire V' and 'Groupama 3' were built. It also hosts an offshore sailing centre of about 50 teams including France's most famous skippers," according to Norbert Metairie, Mayor of Lorient and President of Cap l'Orient Council.>>
…..
In the heart of the French 'sailing valley', the region also hosts the 'Cite de la Voile Eric Tabarly', a site dedicated to modern sailing race and bearing the name of the famous French skipper who sailed on four occasions in the Whitbread ... During the stopover in Lorient, the 'Cite de la Voile Eric Tabarly' will be located right in the centre of the race village…"It has been a personal mission for me to get France back (into the Volvo Ocean Race)…."We are planning to raise the level of communications for the next race. Our ambition is to engage more and more French sailors and the French public."

Groupama, skippered by Franck Cammas, who is currently taking on the Jules Verne Trophy, has Lorient as its home base and will fly the French flag in the next two races.">>

[PCP]

I have some new movies to share, but first the full program of the 2011 race:

http://volvoocean.vo.llnwd.net/o29/u...ce-2011-V3.pdf

The Volvo Ocean race ports are :

Alicante, Cape Town, Abu Dhasi, Sanya, Auckland, Itajaí, Miami, Lisbon, Lorient, Galway.

On all those cities we can watch the in-port races. I am going to be in Lisbon and Alicante and maybe I take a tour to know Ireland and renew my knowledge of Britany (fantastic region) and Lorient. If you plan to be on those spots at the right time, just say so, maybe we can drink some wine together

The videos:

A very "human" one :

YouTube - Funnies from 2005-06 - Volvo Ocean Race Redux

Some about the race great history:

YouTube - Legacy Revealed - A Brief History of the Volvo Ocean Race

YouTube - Evolution Of A Race - Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12

YouTube - A Hard Race - Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12

YouTube - VOLVO OCEAN RACE

YouTube - Volvo Ocean Race

And the 2011 race:

Watch out this two:

YouTube - Cat and Mouse - Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12

They are among the big favorites.

And some about the places and the race:

YouTube - Lisboa, capital mundial da vela

YouTube - The Race to Cape Town - Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12

YouTube - ItajaÃ* in Brazil to Host the Volvo Ocean Race in South America

YouTube - Auckland the City of Sails to Host Volvo Ocean Race 2011 2012

YouTube - Lets do it Galway Volvo Ocean Race Promo

YouTube - Miami, Florida, a host port for the 2011 2012 Volvo Ocean Race

Regards

Paulo

[tdw]

Paulo,
Great links, thanks.
I took great interest in the last Volvo mainly cos I got mixed up with the Cruising Anarchy team for the Virtual Volvo. Very time consuming, probably ruined a couple of marriages but a lot of fun.
One thing I have to say though, "you could not pay me enough money to crew on one of those things".
Would you do it if you had the opportunity ?
Cheers
Andrew

[PCP]

Hum! You are going to think I am crazy and probably I am but I couldn't do that, but probably not for the reasons you think. I am kind of a loner and all those guys living in close quarters for such a long time ...I wouldn't probably be able to handle that. But alone or in duo in an Open 60...that's more my style . Make it a class 40 , an Open 60 is just too scary for a beginner.

Regards

Paulo

[l7leandro]

I really cant wait, it will be a very nice race.

Cheers!

[PCP]

Yes, no doubt about that

The notice of race (the rules) is already posted:

http://www.vendeeglobe.org/upload/do..._2012_2013.pdf

While you wait follow this one with us:

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/racing...orld-race.html

It is a kind of Vendee Globe (same boat) with two sailors by boat.

[PCP]

New Vor70 on the water. Camper's Kiwis/Emirates boat.

Sharp looking all around... and no protection for the crew on the cockpit...these guys are mad and showers and complete baths are on the program

Don't miss this movie:


YouTube - CAMPERVNR