Volvo Ocean Race Graces Newport, RI!

The Volvo Ocean Race, having completed six legs of an astounding around the world route, with three legs to follow before the race concludes in Gothenburg later this year, makes a stop in Newport this weekend, with their race village set up at Fort Adams with entertainment, food, and the chance to interact with the ultramodern sail racing crafts, and the adventurous teams that guide their flight across the world’s oceans. Our planet’s longest sporting event, the race lasts nine months, crosses four oceans, and sets up its racing village in ports on five continents. The leading round the world team sailing race, the Volvo began life as the Whitbread, in 1973. This year’s edition, kissing dry land in Newport this weekend, began way back on October 4th, in Alicante, Spain. Stopping in 11 port cities, and crossing 38,739 nautical miles. The website for the race is rich with visuals, route maps, and videos showing the massive scale of this race. Seven teams are vying for the win, with the Abu Dhabi team, skippered by Ian Walker, currently holding lead. China’s Dongfeng team, with Charles Caudrelier at the helm, is close behind. An all female team, SCA; Team Brunel, from the Netherlands and skippered by Bouwe Bekking; Team  Alvimedica, representing Turkey and the USA, skippered by young American Charlie Enright; a mystery-sponsored Spanish team captained by Iker Martinez; and Denmark’s Team Vestas Wind, skippered by Australia’s Chris Nicholson, round out the competition.

The teams in this race are all using their own version of the same boat, the Volvo Ocean 65, a radical, extremely high performance, and tough, yet affordable craft, 99 feet high, and 66 feet long. The innovative new craft was designed by a consortium led by the United States’ Farr Yacht Design, in association with Green Marine, from the UK, Switzerland’s Decision, international company Multiplast, and Italy’s Persico, the most advanced mould making company in the world. The boats are breathtaking.

A way to interact closely with a truly international event, both in the makeup of the teams, and in the incredible breadth of the route, the Volvo Ocean Race Village is a must visit for curious Rhode Islanders. The race village will be open from May 5 until the next leg start, this leg from Newport to Lisbon, on May 17, at 2 p.m. The Race Village will be set up in Fort Adams Sate Park, and will have daily local musical entertainment, including a Reggae Rally from 6-10 on Saturday. There are a great variety of race related activities for all ages, including in-port races, a 40 knot experience that virtually shows the intensity and rush of ocean racing, presentation of the race prize, visits with Wisdom the Albatross, a children’s area, and myriad opportunities to meet the crew and learn about the amazing craft that is taking them on this amazing 38,739 mile journey. Perhaps the most emotional part of the 12 day event will take place on the 17th at 2pm, when the racers depart on the next leg of their grueling trip. Rhode Islanders have a amazing opportunity to enjoy the splendors of late Spring in Newport, while interacting with an elite group of world athletes, and learning about design and technology in their most refined applications. The Volvo Ocean Race ends in Gothenburg, Sweden on and around June 21 of this year. Take the time to visit the boats and people of this incredible event while the village is open in Newport!