For 2006 the race sees a new format and new route - racing from Spain to Western Australia, then to the USA eastern seaboard and the gripping transatlantic return to Bilbao in Spain. This multi-leg format generates increased sporting interest, with spectacular sailing, short stopovers and regular restarts. For the skippers it is the toughest challenge - effectively its "three races within one event". Stretching their skills and endurance to the limit, pushing their hardest offshore, they have to physically and mentally recover for the adrenalin of the restarts, prepare their boats and work with the media and sponsors prior to setting off from each stopover.
Each point scoring leg of the race intensifies the competition for the skippers, which helps generate ongoing media interest - will a skipper sustain their hard won lead, or make an outstanding comeback?