VOR: Bidding for the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 Ports Sets Sail

The Winter Palace in St Petersburg, the grand finale of the 2008-2009 race. Image copyright Michael Woods/Russian Challenge.

by Volvo Ocean Race media

The Volvo Ocean Race has announced that a formal bidding process to procure stopover ports and the finish port for the 2011-12 edition of the race is underway. Letters requesting expressions of interest were distributed to potential host ports worldwide at the end of March and initial responses are due in by 24 April 2009.

The Volvo Ocean Race has for 36 years joined together some of the world’s most prestigious ports and in response to the increase in interest from potential host ports, for the first time in the event’s history, applicants are being invited to bid for the right to become a host port on the route for the next Volvo Ocean Race. The Sports Consultancy, is managing the port procurement process on behalf of the race organisers.

Commenting on the bidding process and proposed new route, Volvo Ocean Race CEO, Knut Frostad, said, “We are hoping to build on the success of the current edition of the race, which visited ports in Asia for the first time. The stopovers in India and China have added a new dimension to the sport side of the race, and have been important in terms of bringing sailing to a new audience. We want to build on this momentum in Asia next time around.

“Whilst the route in not confirmed, I can say that the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 will start and finish in Europe, should have two or three less stopovers compared to the current race, and the total time for the race should be about one month shorter.”

Angus Buchanan, Director, The Sports Consultancy added, “To date, an impressive number of cities around the world have responded positively to our request for Expressions of Interest and this ultimately will give us far greater choice when planning a competitive route.

“The task ahead is enormous as we go through the bidding process and at the final stages we will be negotiating 8 -10 hosting contracts simultaneously to ensure the new route can be announced from March 2010.”

Volvo Ocean Race