The route of the next VELUX 5 OCEANS in 2010-11 was announced today, 9 December, in Paris. The new version of the classic solo ocean race will consist of five gruelling ocean sprints, compared to three in the last race. The route will take the solo sailors on a 30,000 mile long and dangerous journey starting in La Rochelle (Europe) then going on to Cape Town (Africa), Wellington (New Zealand), Salvador (South America), Charleston (North America) before returning to Europe and La Rochelle.
“As title sponsor we are very happy with the new format of the race. This route shows that VELUX 5 OCEANS is a truly global sporting event that reaches out to our customers and colleagues all over the world. At the same time, it offers VELUX companies opportunities to meet with business partners and nurture relations with other key stakeholders,” says Michael K. Rasmussen CMO VELUX.
David Adams, Race Director of VELUX 5 OCEANS, added:
“We are delighted to have returned to the traditional format of five ocean sprints, and are very fortunate to have found such strong support with partners in La Rochelle, Cape Town, Wellington, Salvador and Charleston. This route is perfect for sponsors, and offers great opportunities for international media, hospitality and promotions in some of the world’s most spectacular harbour cities.”
In Paris, VELUX also announced that the company has committed itself to providing a prize fund for the skippers of €500,000 - one of the biggest on the Open 60 circuit.
“The skippers are the heroes of this race and we are delighted to make €500,000 available as the prize fund in VELUX 5 OCEANS 2010-11. This is one of the largest pots of prize money on the Open 60 circuit ever. We hope it will help attract a wide and strong field of the most charismatic skippers on the planet and at the same time encourage strong and healthy competition,” says Michael K. Rasmussen.
Facts about the new race route:
1. Cape Town ocean sprint: 7,500 nautical miles from La Rochelle (France) to Cape Town (South Africa), starting 17 October 2010
2. Wellington ocean sprint: 7,000 nautical miles from Cape Town (South Africa) to Wellington (New Zealand)
3. Salvador ocean sprint: 7,400 nautical miles from Wellington (New Zealand) to Salvador (Brazil)
4. Charleston ocean sprint: 4,000 nautical miles from Salvador (Brazil) to Charleston (USA)
5. La Rochelle ocean sprint: 3,600 nautical miles from Charleston (USA) to La Rochelle (France).