Prince Philip To Become Patron

Sweden’s Prince Carl Philip has agreed to become patron of the next Volvo Ocean Race. ‘We are happy and proud that the Prince has accepted our request,’ says Glenn BOURKE, CEO of Volvo Ocean Race.

It is almost exactly 30 years ago, on 9 April 2004, that the very first boat completed The Whitbread, which now is the Volvo Ocean Race. Since then, the race has gone through a fantastic development. What used to be a round-the-globe sailing race for amateur sailors and enthusiasts is, today, one of the world’s most extreme sporting events – a professional competition throughout.

‘Our hope is that Prince Carl Philip will have the time and opportunity to support our race in different ways. We know that he has a keen interest in sport and that he has sailed a lot with his father, King Carl XVI Gustaf,’ says Bourke and continues:

‘At a convenient occasion, before the race, we will invite the Prince to sail our new racing boat – the Volvo Open 70 – and experience the thrill of these big, fast and powerful boats.”

The next Volvo Ocean Race will be the ninth since its inception. This time it will start in November 2005 from Galicia, Spain. The first port after the start will be in South Africa. From there the boats will run towards Australia and New Zealand followed by Brazil, and the USA. The fleet will then return to Europe, where the finish is set to be.