The race takes place every four years with the route being changed to suit the various ports of call nominated along its way. Needless to say though, whatever route is taken, the race remains true to its founding endeavour, to pit man and today’s top racing technology against the worst that wind and weather can deal out. Extremes of temperature, waves which may measure thirty metres and the sheer strain that twenty eight thousand sea miles can exert make this great race one of sport’s ultimate races.

The Volvo Ocean Race is centred around racing technology and contested by leading edge ocean going yachts known as Volvo Open 70s. These highly evolved, purebred mono-hull racing yachts are about seventy feet long and capable of making over five hundred miles in a twenty four hour day when they’re under way and racing. With such speed and distance being possible and with closely matched boat competing The Race is an exciting spectacle fought out in a hostile and challenging environment.

Should you happen to be in Alicante next year, soaking up the sun and the wine, you could be forgiven for thinking you’d taken a little too much of both if you should happen to see the Puma sponsored entrant of the Volvo Ocean Race in port or at sea. Looking for all the world like a giant Puma training shoe with sails, the Puma boat will be drawing disbelieving stares wherever she goes...

Ocean racing is surrounded by all the glamour and sense of occasion which trails other top sporting endeavours such as Formula One. It’s an expensive pursuit driven by leading edge design and technology pushed to the very limits of its ability. Formerly the Whitbread Round The World Race, the Volvo Ocean Race is acknowledged by those with the will and courage to undertake it as the ultimate sailing adventure.